Which is worse, a street with grass verges covered in dog mess, or one without grass verges at all?

That is the dilemma facing a group of New Malden residents after their pavements were resurfaced following a number of incidences of dog fouling.

Kingston Council ordered the removal of the verges last week.

Councillor Terry Paton said: “We have been receiving numerous complaints from residents in Potters Grove regarding persistent dog fouling in the area.

“Dog walkers have been repeatedly allowing their dogs to foul on this grass verge, without clearing up the mess.”

But Peter Edwards, 61, of South Park Grove, said: “This part of New Malden could all be brightened up a bit.

“The streets are pretty grim and taking away the little greenery we have is making it worse.

“The concrete is not going to stop dogs fouling on the footpaths.”