GIVE a young guide dog a weekend break - that is the plea going out to animal lovers in Bolton.

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is training 100 animals at kennels in Lowndes Street, and needs puppy-sitters to look after them in the evenings and at weekends.

Andrea Hopkins, dog care supervisor at the kennels, said: "We train the puppies every day but it really helps if they have a home to go to in the evenings and through the weekend.

"They are very good fun because they're at the "teenager" stage. They have developed their own personalities and they can be really sweet and loyal."

The trainees are more than a year old and have spent their first 12 months living at home with a trainer.

They are now being schooled to lead their future owner on and off buses, across roads and into the workplace.

Shirley Cohen, who is in charge of guide dog training, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to have the benefits of caring for a dog without the full-time responsibility.

"It is very rewarding to be involved in the upbringing and training of a guide dog who will one day provide freedom and independence to someone who is blind or partially sighted."

Families are welcome to apply and all boarders must be prepared to groom and feed the dogs every day.

All the dogs' food, vet bills and play equipment will be paid for.

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association trains more than 700 dogs every year and each fully trained dog costs £35,000.

Anyone interested in looking after a dog is asked to call Shirley Cohen on 0113 284 4224.