An order banning dogs from certain areas of Lydiard Park has been "extremely successful" according to licensing officers from Swindon Borough Council - and they'd like it renewed.

Alison Waines the authority's environmental protection officer for animals told councillors on the growing the economy scrutiny committee that the three years of the order had seen a significant drop in complaints about 'nuisance dogs' and dog fouling in the park.

She said: "We used to get dozens of complaints, we had more complaints about nuisance dogs and fouling in Lydiard Park than we did for the rest of the borough complained - we';d get dozens every year.

"Now it's down to one or two."

Under the order dogs must be kept on a lead in an area around the visitors centre the house and front lawn, the cafe and barbecue and picnic field and the children's play area.

They are totally banned from the walled garden and rick yard behind the house apart from registered guide and assistance dogs.