The veterinary charity People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) is to introduce its PetAid service to Swindon with the support of local veterinary practices.

Under the terms of the new PetAid service, needy pet owners may now be able to get free essential veterinary treatment for their sick or injured pets.

The charity has 45 animal hospitals nationwide in major towns or cities. In addition, the PDSA PetAid service operates in smaller communities where there is no PDSA hospital service. The introduction of the Swindon PetAid service brings the total number of schemes to 90.

The scheme will be offered in Swindon through two local practices, Drove Veterinary Hospital in Croft Road and Thameswood Veterinary Clinic in Purton Road, from Friday, December 1, with treatment being funded by the charity.

To be eligible, pet owners need to be receiving local authority help with their housing costs, in receipt of either council tax benefit or housing benefit and must be living in the postcode areas SN1, 2, 3, 25 or 26.