SHE'S worked at the Houses of Parliament, mixed with the most powerful figures in British politics and met thousands of people during her illustrious career.

Now it is time for Lucy to step down from the spotlight and enjoy the quiet life at her retirement home in Bolton.

She has been the faithful companion of Home Secretary David Blunkett for 10 years.

But this weekend the black labrador guide dog will leave the world of politics behind when she officially retires.

She is to be replaced by her half sister Sadie -- a two-year-old black Labrador curly-coated retriever cross. Lucy will be enjoying her golden years in Bolton with new owner Val Woolrich, who is a trainer with the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

She helped to train Sadie at the association's centre in Lowndes Street, Heaton.

Val said Mr Blunkett would find it very difficult to part with Lucy.

She said: "He will be kept regularly informed about how Lucy is doing. We give that option to all guide dog owners who get a new dog and have to part with their retired dog.

"But it will be a huge wrench."

Sadie will be Mr Blunkett's fifth guide dog and as part of her training she has had to accompany Val around the Houses of Parliament, getting used to the layout and lively atmosphere of the Commons and the maze of corridors and offices.

But Val said that the rest of Sadie's training was similar to that of hundreds of guide dogs trained by the association every year.

Each dog is placed with a puppy walker who house trains it and gets it used to everyday places. The dog is then handed over to a trainer .

Val is confident that Sadie will be the perfect replacement for Lucy.

She described Sadie as a "workaholic", making her ideal to fit in with Mr Blunkett's busy work schedule. "Sadie is very spirited, a real character. From when she was a puppy she was a very mischievous little dog," she said. "You need that spirit and you need that little bit extra.

"She's very outgoing, she is inquisitive, but not fazed by anything and that reminded me of Lucy at that stage of her life.

"She's very adaptable to different situations and very quick to learn."

Val said she was "delighted" and over the moon'' to be taking on Lucy, whom she also helped train during her 36 years working with guide dogs.

She said that Lucy would join her other dog Barney, a border terrier, in Bolton. The pair were already good friends having spent time together when Mr Blunkett was on holiday.