DOG trainer Ian Young will be following in his canine companion's paw prints when he embarks on a 900-mile sponsored walk this summer.

Sally, a two-year-old black Labrador, will lead the way when Chester-le-Street-born dog lover Ian makes the charity trek from Germany to his home town.

A full-time instructor for Guide Dogs for the Blind before becoming a self-employed trainer, Ian went to Germany in May 2000 to launch the dogs-in-service charity Vita.

His training scheme for dogs to help the elderly, infirm and blind was such a success that he now hopes to raise cash to open his own international training centre in the North-East.

Ian's International Service Dog Fund will enable him to establish the charity-run centre which will rescue animals from dog pounds and give them a new lease of life.

Ian said: "Sally and I are already in training for the walk which will take 12 weeks and involve us walking between 14 and 16 miles a day.

"I've got her pet passport plan ready so she won't have to go through quarantine at Calais and I've got the route through Germany, Belgium and France all mapped out."

When he finishes his European odyssey - pencilled in for June 3 to the end of August - he hopes the money raised will lay the foundation for the training centre and help to support education projects with local schoolchildren.

Ian added: "I aim to train suitable dogs - whether they are potential guide dogs, dogs for the deaf or for the emergency services - and supply them to countries round Europe."

Anyone who wants to sponsor Ian and Sally's walk or equipment should contact him via his mother, Ruth Young, by telephoning 0191-388 6156.