Dogs being walked next to highways in Teignbridge must soon be on leads no more than a metre long.

The change, which comes into force from April as part of the new public space protection order (PSPO) for dogs, has been agreed by councillors and will see the maximum length halved from the current two metres.

It relates only to four-legged friends being walked alongside roads and cycle paths in the district, and not in parks or on beaches.

Members of the district council's executive this week decided that dog-walkers must also use a fixed type of lead. Signage in key locations will be improved to make the public more aware of the rules.

Teignbridge District Council first introduced the PSPO in 2019 to reduce irresponsible dog ownership and make the area cleaner and greener.

The rules also cover a requirement for owners to pick up dog faeces in public places, carrying enough poo bags, not walking dogs on some beaches from 1 April to 30 September, keeping them out of areas signed as dog exclusion areas (eg. children's play parks) and keeping them on leads in certain areas.

People who flout the rules face on-the-spot fines of £100 or prosecution, where they could be fined up to £1,000.

Beaches covered by the PSPO are Dawlish Warren, Dawlish Town, Coryton Cove and Teignmouth Town, while beaches at the Ness, Shaldon and Holcombe accept dogs all year round.

Councillor Alistair Dewhirst (Lib Dem, Ipplepen) welcomed the extension of the order and hailed its impact: "I think it has worked well so far and we want it to continue.

"It's made a big difference in our district and I know it is something that fills all our inboxes, the issue of dog fouling in our communities."

He joined Councillor John Nutley (Lib Dem, Ashburton & Buckfastleigh) in praising the work of the authority's environmental wardens who help to enforce the rules, saying they have made a "massive impact."