CAT owners on low incomes in Durham are being offered the chance to have their pets neutered for free.

The country's largest feline charity, Cats Protection, is offering vouchers that cover the cost of the operations.

They will be available next week, from Wednesday to Sunday, as part of the charity's campaign to reduce the number of unwanted kittens on the country's streets.

A spokeswoman for the charity's Durham City and district branch said: "Like many areas of the country we have problems with unwanted cats and kittens.

"Responsible preventative measures such as neutering need to be taken very seriously by cat owners.

"Our full-cost neutering voucher scheme aims to help stop the problem where it starts to reduce the number of abandoned and suffering cats in this area.''

Cats Protection's head of operations Debbie Pearce said: "Anecdotal evidence would suggest that the kitten season is starting earlier in spring due to the recent spate of milder winters.

"By starting our campaign in February we hope to reach female cats before the toms do.

"Despite some male cat owners' fears that neutering tom cats is the unkindest snip of all, we would stress that neutering both male and female cats is essential for controlling the cat population.''

The charity neuters about 115,000 cats each year, and animals in its care aged over six months are neutered before they are found new homes.

Vouchers are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Anyone wanting them should call 0191-386 0902 from 4pm to 6pm, weekdays.