COUNTRYSIDE lovers in Wiltshire are being advised to be ‘tick aware’ this summer so they know what to do should they come into contact with the insects.

A joint campaign by Wiltshire Council and local scientists from Public Health England, based at Porton Down, is being launched next week, which is national Tick Awareness Week, with information on how to prevent being bitten by ticks and how to safely remove them.

Ticks can be found throughout the year, but are most active between spring and autumn.

They can transmit bacteria that can cause a potentially serious illness such as Lyme disease.

Experts will be giving out advice in the Market Place, Salisbury on Tuesday.

And information will be available from GP surgeries.