EVESHAM has been hit by a dramatic surge in the number of stray dogs, with almost as many on the loose in the town during April as there were throughout the whole of the Wychavon district a month earlier.

The scale of the problem is getting as bad as it is at Christmas - the worst time for dogs to be left roaming the streets - according to Wychavon District Council's dog warden, Pip Singleton.

She said 12 strays had been caught in Evesham during April, compared to 13 in Wychavon in March. "It's the worst area in Wychavon at the moment," she explained.

"There's been a huge increase in strays in April," she added, "I don't know why it's increased, other than the kids have been off school."

She also thought the heat wave around the Easter period might have been a factor.

"We don't know whether it is because of the hot weather and more dogs going on outings which is responsible for the increase," she said, "It may be that families have new pets, which can be demanding, and are having trouble coping with them."

She added: "It's getting to the stage where it's worse than Christmas, which is our busiest time of year."

Two of the four dogs caught in Wychavon that day had been found in Evesham on Monday of this week.

Miss Singleton said the total recorded did not include dogs that had been reunited with their owners or others offered homes by members of the public who had found them. "That's also not including dogs we haven't been able to catch," she added.

There was no need for dogs to be abandoned by people who no longer wanted them, said Miss Singleton, as there were charities, such as the Wickhamford-based National Canine Defence League, that could take them in.

Dogs could also be micro-chipped to be reunited with owners if they went missing.

Ring Wychavon's environmental health team, on 01386 565249, for more information.