Dog walkers face a new ban on taking more than four pooches at a time into council parks.

Richmond Council said it planned to bring in control orders to clamp down on an increase in professional walking companies coming to the borough.

Councillor Virginia Morris, cabinet member for environment at Richmond Council, said: “Some of our neighbouring boroughs have already started clamping down on the number of dogs that people can walk in their borough. This has resulted in professional dog walking companies coming to our borough to walk sometimes up to 15 dogs.

“We have seen a rise in the number of complaints from members of the public regarding dogs that are not properly under control and fouling.”