Horses can continue to exercise on Weymouth beach – but a ban on dogs remains in force for the summer season.

Weymouth town councillors were told on Tuesday that it’s all down to the nature of the poo – horses being organic while dogs are often meat based and more likely to create a risk of toxicara, which can cause blindness.

Current rules allow horses to exercise on the beach after 7pm and before 9am between April 1 and September 30 while there is a 24-hour ban on the beach during the main season for dogs – although the rules will be reviewed in the autumn when residents will be asked to comment on any new proposals.

Town councillors on the services committee were told on Tuesday evening that dog poo can affect water quality which, in turn, as well as the risk to people, might threaten the beach Blue Flag status.

Said town clerk Jane Biscombe: “DEFRA have previously advised that a 24-hour dog ban assists in protecting bathing water quality during the bathing season…Dorset Council accommodate the dog warden service and have very heavy workloads although they do try and attend Weymouth seafront whenever they can for random patrols. Beach staff advice dog owners on a daily basis as to the restrictions and the areas in use during the summer.”