West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris is grabbing a lead, wrapping up warm, and putting his best foot forward, as he and his cocker spaniel Angel kick off National 'Walk Your Dog' month.

National 'Walk Your Dog' month aims to promote all the benefits of walking your dog for owner and pooch alike.

Figures show that almost 1 in 8 dogs in the UK are overweight - not to mention humans after all the excesses of Christmas. Regular walks with your dog can help to combat December's Christmas indulgence without the need to hit the gym. Weight management is important for your dog too, and walks are a good way of helping to regulate their weight alongside a healthy diet.

Getting out and about in the fresh air can be good for both of your mental wellbeing too. It gets you away from screen time and your dog doing what they love - sniffing out scents and exploring.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: "Now that the turkey is all eaten and the decorations are coming down, many of us are making New Year's resolutions to be more active.

"National Walk Your Dog month is so important as it reminds us that our 4 legged friends benefit from being out in the open air – just like we do. And there are so many wonderful spaces across the West of England to explore with our doggy friends.

"My dog Angel loves going for long walks in the woods. So this National Walk your dog month, I'm encouraging people to get outdoors and make sure that there's time for walkies every day – even when the great British weather doesn't play ball!"