Glasgow Girls Football Club was due to play a team from Perth, but they had to pull out after a pitch inspection revealed an excess of dog poo.

Now Glasgow City Council has refused to clear the mess at Budhill Park, Springboig, claiming it is not feasible for health and safety reasons.

As reported in the Evening Times in January, Glasgow Girls FC invested £80,000 into a new football facility at Budhill Park, but the girls now can't use the pitches because of the dog dirt.

Jim Strathdee, founder of the club, said: "It is unhealthy for the kids.

"If one kid falls on that with an open wound, it is a risk."

Mr Strathdee contacted Councillor David Turner, who wrote to the council asking them to clean the park.

On February 27 he received an e-mail from Land and Environmental Services at the council which stated that, "for Health and Safety reasons, it is not feasible to uplift dog fouling".

A further e-mail stated: "Dog fouling is not uplifted due to a parasite called toxocara canis –dog roundworm.

"As such, it is recommended by our Health and Safety Officers that operatives should not uplift dog faeces."

The club, which has around 80 members ranging from under nines to seniors, pays Glasgow Life, who manage the park for the council, around £20 per match to use the park.

Mr Strathdee added: "The football park is part of Glasgow City Council so it is their responsibility to make sure it is playable.

"We are angry about it.

"We have just spent all that money and the girls can't play there."

Councillor Turner said he was "astonished" by the council's response.

He said: "When you consider the amount of publicity the council have put in against dog fouling, I couldn't believe the reply I got.

"I thought it was a joke.

"Land and Environmental Services are putting children's health at risk if they refuse to clean up parks."

A spokesman from Glasgow City Council said: "It is the responsibility of dog owners to clean up after their pets and there are a number of notices and bins throughout the park. More bins will be added.

"Glasgow Community Safety Services has also confirmed it will increase the number of patrols in the park to catch people who think dog fouling is acceptable.

"We will use every tool in the box to confront persistent offenders."

matty.sutton@ eveningtimes.co.uk