As the night continues to draw in, it's important to make sure dogs still get enough exercise.

With plenty of parks and green spaces in Kent, there are always lots of options.

Beach walks

It may not be the right weather to lay on the sand in a bikini but a trip to the seaside can still be just as enjoyable in the autumn, especially with a furry friend in tow.

Most Kent beaches allow dogs during the winter months, so wrap up warm, brave the wild winds and head out along the coastline.

There will be bags of room for your pooch to have a good run and stretch their legs.

The Contra Trail which runs from Ramsgate to Pegwell Bay is a popular coastal walking route, or Reculver to Minnis Bay is also worth a try.

Taking a dip

Most dogs love to swim and letting them play in the water is really good exercise as it uses almost every muscle in the body.

Streams and the sea are both good but be careful of rivers - some can be very fast-moving with strong under currents.

If your pooch is new to swimming, a life jacket might be a good idea to start and be careful of letting them stay too long in very cold water.

There is a pond for dogs to swim in at Shorne Country Park or if you'd rather an enclosed pool, Island Dog 'n' Splash in Sheppey is perfect.

Build an obstacle course

Obedience training and exercise all in one, building an assort course for your four-legged friend can be really fun.

It can be as simple as a few chairs or boxes in the garden for them to weave in and out of or jump over.

When it's really awful weather, you could always set a small course up indoors if you have the room.

And you'll also get a great workout yourself at the same time.

Go for a hike

It's good to mix up your routine and do something different to your usual dog walk sometimes.

With the leaves turning warm shades of orange and brown, countryside hikes will not only give you and your pet some great exercise, but will also offer some stunning autumnal Kent countryside scenes.

Dogs will also enjoy exploring new places and discovering fresh smells.

One hiking tour you could try is in Sevenoaks, starting at Igtham Mote, passing through Knole Park and finishing at the town train station. Full details can be found here.

Read more: All the latest news from Kent