Volunteers are being sought in Cumbria to provide a loving home and training for a guide dog in the first year of its life. 

Guide Dogs have worked with puppy development advisor Rachel Adams to launch a new 'Puppy Raisers' scheme.

The role involves supporting puppies for the first 12 to 16 months of their life, by teaching them basic commands and introducing them to different environments, which is vital to their early development. 

They will then be moved on to specialised guide dog training, where they will be prepared for a future role supporting a person with sight loss. 

Homes are needed for guide dog puppies in Penrith, Carlisle, Keswick, and Kendal with Guide Dogs covering all the costs involved, in what promises to be an exciting and rewarding opportunity for any interested applicants. 

Rachel Adams said: "I will be there to support you and your puppy through our world-class Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) training programme so you feel confident in caring for your pup so they can develop into happy, healthy puppies ready for their next stage in life. I hope that you want to join our supportive community of Puppy Raisers."

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Puppy Raisers also promises to provide all the support and training that prospective participants would require, to ensure that they are properly prepared to take care of the puppy when it arrives. 

Volunteers, who will teach the pup basic skills, must be over 18, have suitable housing and give the guide dog the love and attention they deserve.

Applicants must have the ability to access online content and training materials and have an email address.

Those who are interested in applying can submit their postcode and details on the Guide Dogs website.