Pensioner Maureen Reidy has two Scottish Terrier dogs and previously used doggy bags issued by Dacorum Borough Council to clean up their waste.

However, these were controversially scrapped earlier this year under funding cuts and Mrs Reidy, of Market Oak Lane, Hemel Hempstead, says normal carrier bags are not up to the job.

The 72-year-old said carrier bags are not environmentally friendly because they are not bio-degradable unlike the doggy bags and also pointed out that many shops now charge customers for plastic bags.

"I have got two dogs and I take them for walks regularly and obviously they foul and I pick it up because I'm very adamant it should be picked up.

"If I have nothing to pick up with, there is nothing I can do about it.

"I have been using my hoard of carrier bags but my collection has run out," she said.

But the council says there has been no increase in dog fouling or any reduction in the use of its 430 dog bins across the borough since the free bags were stopped.

Spokesman Sarah Jones said: "The decision to stop the provision of dog scoops (bags] was part of the budget councillors set in March. By no longer providing free dog scoops the onus is on the dog owners as having the responsibility to deal with dog fouling

"This is in keeping with the council's work to promote responsible dog ownership."