DOG owners have been urged to get their pets microchipped at a special event today.

Dogs Trust in Pershore and Evesham and Wychavon District Council have joined forces to microchip as many dogs as possible at the event, at Pershore Civic Centre between 10am and noon.

Microchipping enables missing dogs to be reunited with their owners. Wychavon's dog warden, Pip Singleton said: "We are encouraging owners to be responsible and microchip their pets at the very reasonable price of £9.50.

"The service will be free to OAPs and those on means-tested benefits." The details of micro-chipped pet are kept up to date on the Petlog national database, enabling missing dogs to be quickly reunited with their owners. Wychavon has also urged pet owners to be responsible by putting a collar and a tag on their dogs.