People are being warned not to lock their dogs in hot cars - as it emerges more than 400 did exactly that in Kent last year.

The county had the second-highest number of reports of pets suffering from heat exposure in England and Wales in 2015, with 435 cases.

Only Greater London reported more incidents, with 645.

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Now, as the weather hots up, 12 organisations have teamed up to warn pet owners about the dangers.

Rescue and rehoming charities, veterinary associations, police, and welfare organisations have launched the Dogs Die in Hot Cars campaign to try and reduce the heat-related suffering.

The RSPCA receives thousands of calls - equating to one every hour - about dogs suffering from heat exposure, and three have died already this summer.

VIDEO: Dogs die in hot cars

The charity records these calls as heat exposure in dogs - which can include dogs suffering from the heat outside or in conservatories or caravans - but the majority are dogs in vehicles.

An RSPCA spokesman said: "It's important to remember not to leave any animal in a car or caravan, or in a conservatory or outbuilding, where temperatures can quickly rise, even when it doesn’t feel that warm outside.

"For example, when it's 22C outside, within an hour the temperature can reach 47C inside a vehicle, which can result in death."

The charity advises calling 999 in an emergency to report a dog in a hot car.

People who smash car windows to free dogs could face criminal damage charges, unless they believe the owner would consent if they knew the circumstances.

Once a dog is removed from a car, the RSPCA advises moving it to a cool area, dousing it with cool water and allowing it to drink small amounts of water.

Anyone with concerns about a dog is urged to call the RSPCA’s 24-hour emergency cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 or 999 in an emergency.