The RSPCA has welcomed new guidance from the UK Government which will make it easier for people in England to walk and exercise their dogs amid ongoing lockdown restrictions.

Advice for pet owners in England was updated on Wednesday and now outlines that people with dogs can go out more often than once a day to exercise their canine companion if necessary.

However, people are still advised by the UK Government to "limit this where possible".

Dr Samantha Gaines, the RSPCA's head of companion animals, said: "The RSPCA really welcomes this important new guidance for England from the UK Government, which is a common sense approach for dog owners and their pets.

"Under these rules, dog walkers may now go out more than once a day to meet the exercise needs of their dogs.

“This stops the rules penalising dogs living with one person - and also ensures more consistency with lockdown rules.

"We all must do our bit to stop coronavirus - so it’s important people understand the restrictions and keep local.

“Keeping dogs on leads at this time can help ensure social distancing, and will avoid owners unnecessarily coming into contact with one another should a pet need to be retrieved."