STAFF at Specsavers Opticians in Blackburn are celebrating a successful launch to their Guide Dog Puppy Appeal after shoppers helped them to raise over £800.

The King William Street store and Morrisons superstore hope to raise a total of £5,000 in their bid to support a guide dog through its training and demanding role.

The appeals launch week saw the stores raise £410 - doubled by store director Stuart Ingleby. He said: "We are all absolutely delighted with this great start to our appeal. Hopefully, we can keep this going and we will hit our target in no time at all. Our customers have been more than generous and I'd like to say a huge thank you for all the kind donations."

A Guide Dogs for the Blind spokesman added: "We are thrilled that the store has decided to launch this appeal. It costs £10 a day to train, breed and support each guide dog through its lifetime."