A SELKIRKSHIRE councillor is calling for dog poo pests to be named and shamed.

Michelle Ballantyne hit out after hearing of continued problems blighting the town's Shawfield Cemetery and surrounding streets.

And she is calling for witnesses to start reporting the offenders.

Councillor Ballantyne blasted: "I can't emphasise enough that the only way we can stop people leaving dog mess on our parks and streets is to name and shame them.

"This will always be an issue until we all start working together."

Retired teacher Cath Henderson described how she regularly finds piles of poo around her Shawfield Crescent home.

And how there were more and more incidents of dog mess in the neighbouring cemetery.

Ms Henderson said: "It gets worse by the day.

"It is disgusting yet people are leaving this lying around on the pavements and streets.

"This is a problem all over the town.

"There is permanent dog mess in Halliwell's Close - the main route for visitors to the town from the car park."

Selkirk Community Council was told that villagers in St Boswells are already taking the law into their own hands.

Volunteer wardens now patrol parks and streets in the village.

As well as picking up dog poo they report offenders to the authorities.

Councillor Ballantyne added: "It takes a certain type of person to volunteer for something like this but it works."

Only three private wardens, contracted by Scottish Borders Council, cover the entire region.

But last week's meeting was told that they will react to identified hot spots.

Councillor Gordon Edgar said: "I would urge everyone to phone Scottish Borders Council if there is a problem and report the times and places where the offences are happening.

"The wardens will act."

Community council chairman Alistair Pattullo added: "If enough people report the problems we have, the wardens will have to come.

"This is one crime that doesn't need corroboration - either the wardens or the police will take this seriously."