WHITCHURCH puppy walker Brenda Holmes is hanging up her lead as she says farewell to her fourth dog.

Brenda, of Broadway, has been voluntarily walking puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind for five years but has decided Eric will be her last as it's becoming harder to say goodbye.

Brenda said: "I think four dogs is a great achievement. I started this five years ago because it was too expensive for us to have a dog of our own and this way we could have the puppy for a year as well as do something for somebody else. But I'm now finding it more and more difficult to say goodbye when they leave. Despite that, I would recommend puppy walking to anybody.

"It's very rewarding but it's 24/7 as you have to walk them, feed them and teach them to respond to the basic dog commands."

Brenda has paid tribute to businesses and individuals in the town who have helped her prepare all the puppies - Eric, Osbourne, Dave and Arnie - for life as a guide dog.

During his first year, Eric has been on a train, on a bus, in a van, in a lorry, to church, to an old people's home, council meetings, the doctor's surgery.

Eric is now off to Bolton to undergo brown harness training. If all goes well, he should be ready to become a guide dog in six months time.