MIDDLEWICH’S MP has welcomed the announcement that animal abusers will receive tougher sentences.

The maximum sentence for the most heinous crimes is six months but new legislation set to be unveiled by environment secretary Michael Gove will see offenders facing imprisonment up to five years.

Fiona Bruce MP said: "I welcome the announcement by the Environment Secretary that the Government will be making tougher sentences available for cases of animal cruelty.

“The campaign for this is one which I have supported and it is great that action is now being taken to ensure this crime is treated more severely in the justice system."