GUIDE dog owners have been offered extra help to travel with Arriva Trains Northern.

The train company, which operates services across the region, has signed up to the Guide Dog Travel Charter, which was recently launched by the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

Its aim is to promote good practice and encourage transport operators to provide accessible travel for guide dog owners.

A recent national survey showed that more than three quarters of blind people have encountered problems when using public transport because of their visual impairment.

Peter Cushing, Arriva Trains Northern's regional director, said: "We want to encourage more people with a visual impairment to travel by train and feel confident that they have the support they need.

"Our customer relations team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we recommend contacting them in advance.

"By doing this we can help our blind or partially-sighted customers plan their journey and ensure they receive the assistance they require from the moment they arrive at the station."

Arriva Trains Northern's customers relations team can be contacted on 0870 602 3322.