Sir, As readers may know, Penrith Rugby Union Football Club runs some of the most comprehensive sports activities in the area. We support 12 junior and youth teams whose ages range from under-seven to under-18 as well as putting out three senior teams every weekend. We have nearly 300 children on our books.

On a Sunday morning, our Winters Park ground is generally full of eager youngsters, backed up by their parents and supporters, all enjoying themselves across our three pitches.

We have invested, through a combination of grants and our fund-raising activities, more than £85,000 in providing playing surfaces and pitches which are organised, tidy and safe so that our junior members in particular can carry on their sport with minimal risk to their health.

However, the one bane in our life is that of dogs being allowed by irresponsible owners to foul our pitches. This matter came to a head on Sunday when one of our youngsters got dog excrement in his eye — not at all a pleasant experience.

Can I remind all your readers that Penrith Rugby Club operates a complete “no dogs” policy anywhere within our grounds and that members, supporters and parents are quite entitled to challenge any person who has a dog on our premises and ask them to remove it. The club will fully support any individual who has to carry out this action.

Penrith Rugby Club is continually striving to ensure that the youth of the town, and its surrounding area, can use our facilities in the certainty that they are in a safe and healthy environment and not be at the risk of their day’s sport being ruined by the actions of a few inconsiderate individuals. Please help achieve this aim. Yours etc,

GEOFF MATTHEWS

(Chairman, Penrith Rugby Union Football Club)

Winters Park,