Celebrity gardener Charlie Dimmock is urging the nation to volunteer this spring to help sick and injured pets.

The former BBC One Ground Force presenter is calling on people to volunteer for PDSA in its shops, fundraising groups and offices to help the charity to care for more than 350,000 pet patients.

PDSA said as well as helping a charity, volunteering can develop people's skills and improve their CVs.

Charlie said: "Taking on a voluntary role is a great way to meet new people, learn new skills and have fun.

"So if you want to try something new, why not have a go and volunteer for PDSA this spring?

"The charity does a fantastic job providing free veterinary treatment for poorly pets, and relies on volunteers to help fund its PetAid services.

"In return, animal lovers are rewarded with the satisfaction of knowing they are helping sick and injured pets."

PDSA head of volunteering, Janet Compton, said: "There's a role to suit all budding volunteers, from providing customer service to window dressers in a PDSA shop, to helping at PDSA fun dog shows as part of a local fundraising group.

"Don't worry if you have no experience as training is provided and all roles are flexible to fit around other commitments."

PDSA provides free veterinary care for the sick and injured pets of those unable to afford veterinary fees and promotes responsible pet ownership. Last year, volunteers saved PDSA £10.3 million, which is enough to provide more than six million bandages, or to purchase around 300,000 bags of life-saving fluids to be used in PDSA's 47 PetAid hospitals.

PDSA volunteer opportunities are available across the UK and are listed on PDSA's website, www.pdsa.org.uk/volunteering or by calling the PDSA National Volunteering Centre on freephone 0800 854 194.