A GUIDE dog and his owner will mark seven years together by tackling a 36-mile charity walk along the Kennet and Avon canal in May.

John Glanville, of Huntingdon Street, Bradford on Avon, suffers from the incurable eye disease retinitis pigmentosa, which has seen his eyesight deteriorate since the 1980s.

Mr Glanville, who also has impaired hearing, has had Luka, a Labrador cross retriever, since 2009 and together they, along with his wife Sue Glanville, 64, and good friend Mary Fuller, will trek from Limpley Stoke to Froxfield to raise funds for guide dogs.

“One of the reasons for doing it is that old Luka is retiring next March and I wanted to give a good send-off together,” said Mr Glanville, 72.

“He is a fantastic help to me in everything I do. We have our regular route around town, to the library, the doctors, the Shambles and so on – anywhere I want to go, he will get me there without fail.

“Luka is one of the best. He is so obedient, so friendly, so easy to train and a joy to be around. He almost sticks to us like glue. I am really looking forward to the walk, we can do it together.”

Luka, now nine, is the second dog for Mr Glanville, who was diagnosed with the hereditary condition 30 years or so ago. His first dog Paddy was with him from 2000. The quartet will, according to Mrs Glanville, try to walk six miles a day and are inviting people to join them on their way.

“It is a big deal for Luka and my husband to walk all that way, it takes a huge amount of concentration from both,” said Mrs Glanville.

“Me and my friend Mary will be able to help out and give them a bit of a rest. There is something nice about walking in Wiltshire along this wonderful canal than somewhere else.

“It should be a jolly good time walking with friends, family and meeting new people too and hopefully the weather will hold out.”

The couple are also be hosting a coffee and cake fundraising morning on April 15 at Bearfield Church, Bradford on Avon. and Mr Glanville will give a talk about the walk too. To donate towards their target, currently just shy of £300,go to https://www.justgiving.com/Susan-Glanville25