DOG owners in West Devon are being offered the chance to have their dogs microchipped free of charge this December.

Dogs Trust is joining West Devon Borough Council's Connect road show in Hatherleigh and Belstone to offer the service to anyone who comes along with their dog.

It normally costs around £20 to have a dog microchipped and from 2016 it will be compulsory.

Lee Paris, campaigns assistant from Dogs Trust, said: 'We are really pleased to be working with West Devon Borough Council and would like to urge dog owners to take advantage of this limited microchipping offer.

'It is through such valuable partnerships as this that the goal of responsible dog ownership across the board becomes a reality.

'These events will highlight the issues surrounding responsible dog ownership in the West Devon area, and raise awareness for the importance of procedures such as microchipping and neutering.

'We would like to encourage all dog owners living in the area to come along and get free advice from the experts on how to be a responsible dog owner.'

The charity will be joining West Devon Connect again in 2014 at various locations to offer more free microchipping.

The Connect road show regularly tours West Devon taking free advice and information out to communities.  Everyone is welcome.

Among the other partner organisations taking part next month are Citizen's Advice Bureau (CAB), Action on Hearing Loss, Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA), CALL24 and South West Water (SWW).

Every session is hosted by a borough council officer who can answer all kinds of questions about council tax, housing benefit, planning applications and recycling – among many other things.

The December Connect dates are December 3, Hatherleigh Market from 9.30am to noon with free microchipping by Dogs Trust, DNPA, CALL24 and CAB; December 6, The Burrow Cafe, Exbourne from 10am to noon with Action on Hearing Loss; December 12, Belstone Village Hall from 10am to noon with free microchipping by Dogs Trust, SWW and CALL24; December 13, Chagford Library from 10.30am to 12.30pm with Action on Hearing Loss; December 18, Princetown Community Centre from 1.30 to 3.30pm with CAB drop in service.

For more information about West Devon Connect visit http://www.westdevon.gov.uk">www.westdevon.gov.uk or call 01822 813600.