THE National Canine Defence League (NCDL) will be offering free microchipping and neutering when their roadshow visits Blackburn and Darwen early in the New Year.

The show will be promoting neutering as a means of reducing the large number of stray and unwanted dogs.

According to the NCDL, there were over 14,000 stray dogs in the North West of England last year and 1,610 of these healthy animals were destroyed.

"The more dogs we neuter, the less unwanted pets we have," said campaign manager David Wright.

The Roadshow will be on Sainsburys car park in Darwen on Monday and Tuesday, January 6 and 7, and Blackburn Ice Arena car park on Wednesday and Thursday, January 8 and 9.

The first 25 dog owners who attend and are on means tested benefits will be given free vouchers to have their dog neutered.

There will also be free microchipping for anyone in receipt of benefits and microchipping will be available to everyone else at the subsidised rate of £9.50.