DO you have a strong stomach, thick skin and a love of animals?

Then you could be just the person to become an RSPCA uniformed inspector.

In a UK first, the RSPCA is recruiting regionally, including Bolton.

The charity is looking for 24 people to join its team and is especially looking for those based in Greater Manchester.

RSPCA Inspector, Melissa Furey, who works in Bolton, said: “My job role really is investigating complaints of animal cruelty, 95 per cent result in giving advice in relation to microchipping, eating, diet.

“Helping the public who need help with their animals. The other five per cent is where animals are caused to suffer.”

The job can be emotionally challenging and inspectors may witness distressing scenes on a daily basis.

Miss Furey, aged 35, said: “A local inspector will maybe get between 10 to 15 calls a day in their patch.

“It could be a dog outside with no shelter or someone doing a deliberate act of cruelty, like dog beatings and stabbings.

“The nice bits get you through the difficult bits, you have to be able to deal with the people professionally and some of the things we see are heart breaking.”

There is no limit on the types of animals inspectors deal with, circus animals like zebras or even creepy crawlies like spiders may need help at any time.

She added the ideal candidate would need exceptional interpersonal skills.

A successful applicant may find themselves helping an elderly person take care of their animal.

Miss Furey said: “We had a lady, who was 80, and had an old dog, who was diabetic, and she had no family.

“She didn’t know the dog was diabetic.

“We took it to the vets for diagnosis and then arranged for someone to come every day and it lived another year.”

As well as being emotionally strong, applicants must be physically fit, training takes a year and tests will include a 50m swim fully clothed.

To apply or learn more about the job, visit www.rspca.org.uk/jobs, 160 people will be shortlisted for the positions and interviewed, the application deadline is Friday, March 17.

The Bolton branch of the RSPCA is based at 21 Vernon Street after its move from 205 St George’s Street.