THE problem of persistent dog fouling in Hatherleigh parish churchyard has forced the parochial church council to issue a warning to dog owners.
The council says that although many owners are responsible and pick up mess left by their dogs, others do not.
The council said if the problem continues during the next two months, dogs will be banned from the churchyard from March 1.
A spokesman for Hatherleigh PCC said: 'The PCC have not taken this decision lightly. But we have a responsibility to our staff and cannot expect him to work under such unpleasant conditions, not to mention the health risk.
'We apologise to all responsible dog owners but we cannot see any other way of dealing with this problem.'