THOUGHTLESS dog walkers are letting their animals run amok in a new Hutton conservation area, despite signs being put up to stop them.

Phippen Park was officially opened last week, but despite volunteers putting signs up to warn people that dogs must be kept on their leads, the signs were removed within hours of being put up.

North Somerset Council is applying for a dog control order, which will be enforceable and could lead to walkers flouting the rules being prosecuted.

Steve Cope, clerk of Hutton Parish Council, said: “The parish council is aware that this is a new conservation area and hope that people will get used to the idea that, as a designated recreation area, they must keep their dogs on leads at all times in the park.”