DEDICATED RSPCA volunteers are taking to the streets this week to raise money and increase awareness of animal welfare issues.

RSPCA Week got under way yesterday, and branches in England and Wales are aiming to raise more than £250,000.

Volunteers with collecting tins will be on the streets and at selected Tesco supermarkets across the North-East.

The Durham South and Sunderland branch is offering free cat neutering and health checks at the Ford and Pennywell estates.

People living outside these areas can take advantage of the service for the low cost of £15.

Alan Wolinski, RSPCA manager for Yorkshire and the North-East, said: "RSPCA Week is a wonderful opportunity for the public to show their appreciation of the animal welfare work carried out by the volunteers, day in, day out.

RSPCA branches are responsible for raising and spending their own funds locally.

They help re-home about 75,000 animals every year