A popular tortoise weigh-in event is returning to Bury next weekend offering free health checks for reptiles.

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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The event takes place twice a year, and will take place on Saturday, September 28 at the United Reformed Church on Parsons Lane in Bury from 10am to 4pm.

The purpose is to give owners the information which will help them to keep their animals healthy and happy, and as part of this, their weight and size is checked.

John said: “As usual, during our 35 years plus of holding the events, all advice and information is free of charge, and the event welcomes anyone with an interest in these often-misunderstood creatures.

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“We will have the services of Vince Wager of Valley Vets in Rochdale who will be available until 2.30pm.

“We look forward to welcoming friends old and new and can assure everyone of a warm welcome and a sympathetic ear.

“The whole purpose of the event is to flag up any health issues so that both owners and animals can have a healthy and long relationship.”

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

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

Anything that he is not familiar with the vet will be able to check.

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