PET owners are being encouraged to give their pets gleaming gnashers as part of an awareness month. Abbey Veterinary Centre, based in Durham and Chester-le-Street, and Vets4Pets, situated in Framwellgate Moor in Durham, are urging owners to take more interest in their pets' teeth for this month's Pet Smile Month.

Veterinary nurse Lisa Coxon, from Abbey Veterinary Surgery, said: "The bacteria in the mouth can spread to affect the kidneys and other major organs, so it's important to clean your pet's teeth. It's not just stopping smelly breath, you're stopping them developing other problems."

Staff at Abbey Veterinary Centre and Vets4Pets are both offering owners of all cats and dogs that come into the surgery a free dental check and staff will give advice on how to clean pets' teeth.

Contact Abbey Veterinary Centre's Durham office on (0191) 384 5115 or Vets4Pets, on Priory Road on (0191) 383 0555.