INCREASING numbers of stray and abandoned dogs are being picked up by wardens in East Lancashire, according to new figures.

The Dogs Trust said there had been a 28 per cent increase in strays collected in the North West last year, from 12,487 to 15,871.

The trust has called for compulsory microchipping of dogs in a bid to reunite more strays with their owners.

Across the country, 107,228 stray and abandoned dogs were picked up by local authorities, an 11 per cent increase.

Some 31 per cent of the dogs were reunited with their owners but more than 9,000 were put to sleep.

Neil Martin, manager of Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary, Edenfield, said dogs were being dumped near animal rescue centres in the hope they would be taken in and given proper care.