A DISABLED North-East woman and her "wonderdog" will be joining the cast of Emmerdale and dog training expert Jan Fennell in a ceremony next week.

National charity Dogs for the Disabled is holding the event for its members and fundraisers, in Leeds.

Carol Goodman, whose dog, Anton, is trained to help her around the house, will be taking part in the ceremony which will celebrate their partnership.

Ms Fennell, who has written books and appears on Channel 5 with a novel approach to dog training, will give a speech at the event. Members of the Emmerdale cast, who raised £3,000 for the charity in a cricket match last summer, will present their cheque at the ceremony.

Miss Goodman and Anton, who is the first Dog for the Disabled in County Durham, live together in sheltered accommodation in Darlington.

Anton is trained to get the washing out of the machine, go shopping and pull the emergency cord in their home if Miss Goodman falls.