Richard Cardwell was fined £80 and ordered to pay a further £150 in costs for allowing one of two dogs he was walking to mess on the outer promenade, near the Marine Hall, on January 22 this year.

Cardwell, aged 50, of London Street, was then observed by a Police Community Support Officer and an enforcement officer from Wyre Council walking on and failing to clear up the dirt.

Shirley Harrison, prosecuting for Wyre Council, told Fleetwood magistrates that Cardwell was first seen walking ahead of the two dogs by both officers on the promenade, and not looking behind him to see what the two animals were doing.

The court was told that one of the dogs then squatted on sand close to the sea wall.

Meanwhile, the defendant was not making any attempt to supervise the dogs and instead continued walking ahead, the court heard.

Cardwell was then approached by the two officers about the incident and he initially claimed the dirt had not come from his dog.

The court heard that when presented with a fixed penalty notice for the offence, Cardwell said he would not pay the penalty. He was subsequently formally prosecuted.

Cardwell pleaded not guilty to the offence of failing to clean up dirt after his animal had fouled.

However, he was subsequently convicted by magistrates and ordered to pay the fine and costs.

Michael Pyke, enforcement officer for Wyre Council, said: "This case demonstrates reflects the tough, pro-active approach we are taking towards incidents like this, which result from the actions of a minority of irresponsible dog owners.

"It is part of an ongoing operation with our partners to address the problem and we will continue to target individuals who feel it is quite acceptable to behave in this manner with their pets."