PET owners are being encouraged to bring their dogs in for free micro-chipping at an event being held at the weekend.

The service is being offered as part of a drop-in information event taking place at Dipton Community Centre, in Dipton, near Consett, from 10am to 1pm on Saturday.

The event is the culmination of a week of action to improve the environment in the village organised by The Derwent Valley Area Action Partnership following concerns raised by residents.

Since Monday, actions has been taken to deal with litter, dog fouling, fly-tipping and graffiti in Dipton, including talks aimed at local schoolchildren and the placing of community skips at locations around the village.