CANINE wonder Tarquin is in the running for the Elite Guide Dog of the Year Award after probably saving his diabetic owner from death.

Blind Andrew Komosa from Blackburn suffered an attack of hypoglycaemia while working late but dropped the bottles of Lucozade needed to boost his blood sugar levels and combat the condition.

The 36-year-old frantically searched in vain on the floor of his work's toilets for the bottles, and fearing that he would collapse at any time called Tarquin for help.

Andrew changed the familiar command 'find the balls' to 'find the bottles' and eight-year-old Tarquin opened each stall to retrieve the Lucozade.

Andrew, of The Spinney, Beardwood, Blackburn, said: "He definitely knew that I needed the Lucozade. "When he fetches a ball he plays around with it but with the bottles he brought them straight to me

"He never ceases to amaze me."

He added: "I was feeling quite ill and needed the drink. I was frightened that I would pass out and not be found until the morning.

"I would have needed hospital treatment. My brain could have been starved of oxygen. I could have been brain damaged or could even have died."

Andrew, a legal officer for Lancashire County Council, was so impressed with eight-year-old Tarquin that he nominated him for the award, run by Elite dog food and the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, to sniff out the nation's wonder dogs.

And Tarquin, a labrador retriever, was voted joint winner of the North West region along with Warrington dog Vicky, who kept her owner warm after she suffered a heart attack.

Andrew, who was blinded 11 years ago because of diabetes, added: "I was so pleased he had won the regional finals. He is a very special dog."

Caroline Stockman of Elite said: "All guide dogs are special but we wanted to reward those dogs who performed over and above the call of duty - Vicky and Tarquin were both so remarkable that we couldn't choose between them.

"We are delighted to recognise them both as Elite guide dogs."

Tarquin won a £100 cheque for Andrew and the overall winner will be announced later today.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.