A DOG walker has slammed fellow pooch owners who have left a trail of used canine poo bags in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The woman, who has asked not to be named, came across more than 20 poo-filled plastic bags on the space of 400 metres.

She was annoyed by the find out on the Quantock Hills after setting out from Lydeard Hill car park towards Triscombe Stone yesterday (Monday, March 20).

"It's absolutely disgusting," she said.

"The bags were hanging in trees, on fences, on the ground, hidden by tree roots, scattered here there and everywhere."

She pointed out the health risks to humans, particularly children, who could be infected by the toxocara canis parasite that could lead to blindness and other conditions.

"It could also be a hazard to wildlife animals," she added.

"With the Easter holidays and the better weather coming up, it's worrying to think that families could be up on the hills and come across these poo bags. It's always worse after holidays.

"Dog walkers should bag their dog poo and take it home and dispose of it in their dustbin.

"Unfortunately, it's a problem everywhere. People just clear up their dog poo and drop it or hurl it over a fence.

"Dog owners should have a certain responsibility."