The Dogs Trust is to stage roadshows at three supermarkets in Hartlepool to promote dog micro-chipping.

More than 700 dogs were chipped in 2003/04 by Hartlepool Borough Council's Environmental Action Team in partnership with the Dogs Trust.

The trust will be at Asda in Marina Way on Tuesday, Tesco in Burn Road on Wednesday and Kwik Save in Winterbottom Avenue on Thursday. Each event will run from 10am to 4pm.

Visitors will be able to have their dogs micro-chipped free if they live in the borough of Hartlepool.

As an added incentive, the council has announced that stray dogs found to be chipped will be returned to their owners free on the first occasion. It usually costs £25 plus kennel fees.

All dogs attending must be on a lead and have a handler present who is over the age of 18. The trust recommends all dogs attending should be vaccinated. Puppies under 12 weeks will not be micro-chipped without proof of vaccination.

The roadshows will also be offering advice on pet neutering and a range of tips on responsible dog ownership generally.