A CHARITY that provides dogs for the disabled has received a massive grant from Children in Need and is offering families in south Bucks the chance to have their lives enhanced by a canine helper.

The Oxfordshire-based charity, Dogs for the Disabled, was awarded one of the largest grants in the South East of £72,927 and is looking for families to help.

The charity is holding a free information day on Thursday, May 12 to give people the opportunity to meet the dogs and find out if they would be compatible.

A spokesman for the charity said: "This is a fantastic chance for us to meet the families and explain a little bit more about ourseleves."

In 2004 Dogs for the Disabled became the first registered charity in the UK to train assistance dogs specifically for disabled children to help them and their families lead more independent lives.

The charity trains Labradors and golden retrievers to carry out a wide range of practical tasks such as picking up the remote control, opening doors, helping a child to undress and pulling a duvet back on if it falls off.

The dogs are also devoted companions and can help children to feel less isolated.

It is offering up to eight trained dogs to help families for the rest of their working lives from Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Milton Keynes at a cost of only £1.

Anyone interested in attending the open day should reserve their free place by contacting the Dogs for the Disabled centre in Banbury, Oxfordshire on 08700 776600 or email on info@dogsforthedisabled.org