TWO dogs were left to roam across the pitch at the Reebok Stadium without so much as a tackle.

Yet rather than call on the stewards, Wanderers' manager Sam Allardyce and club skipper Mike Whitlow were amused by the canine antics.

The pair were backing a campaign by Bolton Council to stamp out dog fouling.

Next week, a National Canine Defence League drive is highlighting the problem and the council has seized the opportunity to gather support for its own campaign.

Lofty the Lion, local children and Cllr John Byrne, Cabinet Member for Leisure, joined in the fun as 'scoop the poop' gathered pace.

The council wants to encourage people to clean up after their dogs and has pledged to place more poop bins in dirt hot spots like playgrounds and parks.

Mr Whitlow said: "I used to put in some hard tackles when I was young and probably slipped in my fair share of dog dirt.

"This is something I support because I have children of my own and understand the dangers to their health.

"I had a dog of my own a few years ago and always cleaned up after him."

Cllr Byrne became involved in the campaign after figures showed playgrounds were top of the hot spots for dog dirt.

He said: "The drive seems to be working and we have already seen 14 people fined in the courts.

"We want to make the area safer and more pleasant."