Chester has topped a new list of the best dog-friendly train trips from Manchester.

The historic city claimed the highest score in research by pet food company Tails.com, which analysed destinations across the UK using 10 measures of dog-friendliness, including walking routes, restaurants, cafés, attractions, green spaces, veterinary practices and nearby National Trust sites.

Chester scored 42.74 out of 100, with researchers highlighting its 50 dog-friendly restaurants, 20 dog-friendly cafés, 10 pet-friendly attractions, 13 green spaces and eight nearby National Trust sites.

Southport finished second with a score of 41.90, while Llandudno, Conwy and Hebden Bridge completed the top five destinations in the ranking.

Researchers said Chester's combination of places to eat, visitor attractions and outdoor spaces helped it secure the top position among destinations accessible by train from Manchester.

A spokesperson for Tails.com said: "The results show that the best dog-friendly destinations are about more than just scenic walks.

"Easy access to places that welcome dogs, alongside practical amenities such as cafés, restaurants and pet shops, can make spending the whole day together much simpler.

"When everything you need is close by, it's easier to stay out longer, be more spontaneous and make the most of every adventure together."

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The study analysed a selection of dog-friendly towns, boroughs and cities across the UK, using data from AllTrails, TripAdvisor, Google Maps, BringFido, National Trust, local councils and Fields in Trust.

Each measure was standardised and converted into a score out of 10 before being combined to create a final dog-friendly location score out of 100.

Higher scores indicate destinations offering a greater range of opportunities for owners looking to enjoy days out with their dogs.