The popular event in which tortoises, terrapins and turtles are given free "weigh-in" health checks is back in Bury town centre next weekend.

For the past 35 years The Northern Region of the British Chelonia Group (BCG) has been holding the event for anyone who needs advice or wants their pet to have a free examination.

The event is organised by John Thorpe who is the chairman for the BCG.

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John said: “The purpose is to give owners the information which will help them to keep their animals healthy and happy, and as part of this, we check their weight and size.

“We have been promised the services of  Vince Wager, a veterinary surgeon from Valley Vets in Rochdale, who has been good enough to work with for us before, and all advice and information on the day is free to everyone.”

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The spring weigh-in will take place at Wilkinson’s on The Rock in Bury on Saturday, 22 April from 10am until store closure.

Past events have seen more than 60 people come to get their pets checked out.

John added: He said: “Those people might not have access to the information otherwise, so it is genuinely saving lives.

"It can literally be anything from friendly advice to lifesaving.”

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John is not a trained vet however has a wealth of knowledge from the past 35 years of experience.

Anything that he isn’t familiar with, the vet can pick up on.

Pet owners are reminded to keep their animals warm during transit and to not let them mix with other animals on the day to avoid the risk of transferring diseases.

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