As of today [1 October] dogs are allowed on all of the beaches of the Vale of Glamorgan, marking the end of the summer season.

From 1 May until 30 September, four-legged friends are banned from a number of beaches across the county, including Whitmore Bay and Penarth Seafront.

The dog-ban is in place to ensure that locals and visitors can enjoy the beaches throughout the warmer months.

The summer beach ban applied to Whitmore Bay, Cold Knap, Penarth Seafront, Dunraven Bay and Cwm Colhuw.

Beaches such as Ogmore-By-Sea, Jackson's Bay, and Cwm Nash do not have a dog ban, however. This permits dog owners and their pets have been able to visit all year round, including the last four months.

Recently the Vale of Glamorgan Council confirmed that plain clothes officers have been patrolling popular dog-walking spots around the county to ensure that owners pick up their pets' mess.