Dog dirt has been posted through the letter box of a resident after he complained owners were letting their pets mess on his path.

Derek Fox fears he has become the target of an irate dog owner after excrement was pushed through his letter box three times.

Once, he came out of his house to find swear words written in chalk on the path.

Mr Fox said he had no idea who was targeting him.

However, he fears a dog owner has taken exception to new signs on the pathway at Queensway, Brighton, which were put up after he and other residents complained about the mess regularly left behind.

After becoming fed up with dog faeces on the path, which serves six homes, Mr Fox asked Brighton and Hove City Council for signs telling pet owners to clear up after their animals.

Mr Fox, 58, stressed no one in the neighbourhood was a dog-hater but asked people to put their dog mess in the bins.

He said: "It has been put through my letter box three times and put up against my wall. It stopped for a while but since we put the signs up eight or nine weeks ago it has started again.

"All the neighbours think it's despicable but why they are not being targeted as well I don't know.

"Our intention is not to antagonise people but to ask them for their co-operation and to respect our property.

"There are families on this estate with young children who could easily tread in it."

Mr Fox has four children aged under 12 and said he was worried for their health.

Local councillor Gill Mitchell said: "I am supporting the estate's demand for a Neighbourhood Warden which would give an additional pair of eyes and ears for the police to prevent anti-social behaviour such as this."

A council spokesman said: "If Mr Fox could let us know if he has any idea whose animal is doing it, or the times he thinks it happens, we would investigate or keep watch at relevant times."