DOG owners will be able to get free health MOTs for their pets during a roadshow stopping off in Wirral later this month.

The PetWise tour vehicles will be at Woodhead Street in Bebington, on Tuesday October 16 from 10am-5pm.

Organised by the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals and supported by the People's Lottery, it will provide free health checks and offering expert pet care advice.

Appointments should be booked in advance by calling 01952 797306.

Vet nurse Becca Schofield will carry out the MOT for every dog; assessing the five elements pets need to be healthy and happy, known as the welfare needs.

These are diet, environment, companionship, behaviour and health.

Additional services including nail clipping, ear cleaning and microchipping - now a legal requirement for all dogs - will also be available free of charge, although donations are welcome.

Becca said, currently featuring in Channel 4's The People's Vet on Saturday afternoons, said: "We would love to catch up on the progress of all the dogs we saw on our last visit, and meet any that didn't manage to get to us.

"We expect to be busy, so we advise pet owners to call and make an appointment.

"By offering free, friendly advice and support, we can help owners make small changes that often make big differences to the wellbeing of pets in Wirral.”

More information on PDSA’s PetCheck tour is available on their website at www.pdsa.org.uk/petcheck.

The PDSA say that last year nearly 3,000 PetWise MOTs were completed, resulting in improvements to local dogs’ health and welfare.

However, there is still room for improvement, as a third of dogs (33%) who visited showed signs of behavioural problems.

According to the charity, many owners are also unclear on their responsibilities as a pet owner, as over half dogs seen during last year's tour (55%) were not wearing an ID tag, despite it being a legal requirement.

PDSA's two custom-designed PetCheck vehicles have been kindly donated by benefactors Julie and Robert Breckman.

The vehicles are named after Robert and his late wife Julie, whose love of animals and support of PDSA has helped the PetCheck tour to continue its vital work, helping to improve the lives of thousands of pets.