DOG owners are being offered the chance to get their pets micro-chipped for free this summer.

Tendring Council has already chipped more than 1,200 dogs over the past year at various surgeries around the area.

Dog Warden Allen East will be in Clacton Town Centre with the council’s Recycling Roadshow at the town’s Crime Reduction Day on May 29.

It normally costs between £30 and £40 for a dog to be chipped and it will become law in 2016, but Mr East will be providing the chips free of charge thanks to the Dogs Trust.

Nick Turner, cabinet member for the environment, said the free service provided by the council has been very popular.

“We have really been amazed at the demand we have seen for this right across the District and have saved owners a great deal of money,” he said.

Further events are to be staged at Jaywick Resource Centre on June 24, at Clacton Town Hall on July 17 and at Harwich Market on July 25.

Anyone who wants to book a slot during the events should call 01255 686766.