A PARK user wants Bolton Council to clamp down on dog owners whose pets run around a popular beauty spot without being on a lead.

Morris Green resident Jim Whitlow says wildlife at Doffcocker Lodge is in danger because of dogs running loose chasing ducks and swans.

Mr Whitlow says he has never seen park rangers at the lodge and wants the council and Lancashire Wildlife Trust, who manage the site, to do more to protect wildlife. "People may think that it is harmless fun having their dogs off the lead, but the bigger dogs could kill some of the smaller animals in the park," said Mr Whitlow.

"There are hundreds of ducks at the lodge and I'm worried that they may be killed or injured by dogs chasing them. I use the lodge two or three times a week and I have never seen a park ranger there."

A spokeswoman for Bolton Council said: "People are not supposed to have their dogs off their leads whilst at the lodge and there is a sign at the entrance saying so.

"Unfortunately, there are one or two dog owners who flout this rule and let their dogs run out of control. We would appeal to anyone who uses Doffcocker Lodge to respect the by-laws."

A wildlife trust spokesman said: "Although we carry out a great deal of work in the park, we are not in a legal position to enforce the by-law."