THE state of a Blackwood park is a "health and safety hazard," locals say.

People living in houses that back on to Cefn Fforest Welfare Park say litter bins are always overflowing and that there are no special bins for dog owners to dispose of their pets' mess.

Andrew Farina-Childs, of Twyn-y-Ffald Road, told the Argus that there are many responsible pet owners in the area, but they have no way of disposing of the mess safely.

Now, he says, some people are putting it into normal litter bins. He is concerned that this is a health and safety issue.

Residents are calling for Caerphilly council to instal dog bins there. Mr Farina-Childs, who is chairman of the local residents' association, added: "The park is very well used - it is the direct access to the local surgery.

"It used to be all right, the bins were emptied regularly, but now they are overflowing. It is a health and safety hazard."

Mr Farina-Childs says there is also a problem with broken glass in the park, because a gang of youngsters congregates there in the late afternoons and evenings to drink alcohol and then they break the bottles.

He said: "It is very dangerous. Also some elderly residents feel threatened when they are walking through the park."

A spokesman for Caerphilly council said: "We clean the park and empty the bins daily but heavy usage in the summer and hot weather means more litter is generated."

He said the authority would look at the site for possible location of a dog mess bin in the future.

He added there are problems with broken glass and vandalism in the park and that the council did its best to keep it tidy. He appealed to the community to help take responsibility for the area.