Foxes stage Dens Park invasion

The foxes have dug up the six yard boxes at both ends of the pitch

Preparations for the new season at Dundee FC's stadium are being hampered by a family of foxes.

Dens Park ground staff said the foxes, which have been sneaking onto the pitch at night, had dug holes in the six yard boxes and urinated on the grass.

The club has now erected fencing around the goal areas and is in the process of laying new turf so the ground is ready for the new season.

The First Division side is due to play their first match on 25 July.

Staff at the club believe rabbits may have attracted foxes to the ground.

Stadium manager Jim Thomson said: "It's been a continuous problem throughout the summer, and we've tried all sorts of things to discourage them.

"We are re-turfing today and that should knit together within a week, so we will be all right for the start of the season."

The club has now hired pest control specialists to see if the foxes can be persuaded to stay away from the ground.

Mr Thomson added: "We used to have a rabbit problem, but the foxes seem to have solved that.

"Maybe we need a bigger predator now to deal with the foxes."