DOG wardens are to charge more to return lost pets to their owners.

The St Helens Council service has increased the fees payable when an owner comes forward to reclaim their dog.

The new fee of £55 has been attributed to an increase in kennelling fees.

Dogs collected by the wardens are kept at the council's holding kennels for seven days.

If, after this time, they are not reclaimed they are given up for rehoming.

In the past year, the wardens collected 330 stray dogs, of which 90 were returned to their owners.

If you lose a dog, contact the wardens on 01744 456338 or 456335.

You can also visit sthelens.gov.uk and view the 'lost dog gallery' to see if your pet is in the council's holding kennels.