75801-42A FIVE-month-old puppy is being trained as a guide dog after staff and customers at a veterinary surgery raised £5,000 to sponsor her.

Sassy, a yellow Labrador, is living up to her name at the home of romantic novelist Nicola Cornick and her husband, Andrew, a counsellor.

The couple, who live near Shrivenham are looking after the puppy until she is old enough to go to college in Exeter for formal training in six months' time.

"She's a lively little thing and I'm sure she will make a great guide dog," said Nicola, who writes novels for Harlequin.

"Sassy's very quick to learn and has a sweet nature. She's shaping up nicely."

The couple also have a pet dog Monty, a black Labrador, who is allowed to go for romps on the hills, while Sassy is learning her basic skills.

Sassy is the second guide puppy the couple have cared for. They looked after Uston for a year, a black Labrador who is doing well at college in Exeter.

"We have strict training ourselves to make sure we are teaching the puppies the right way," said Nicola.

"It's very rewarding and as Andrew and I work from home we can spend time on training."

Staff at Drove Veterinary Hospital in Moredon Road decided to raise the cash for the £5,000 puppy because the dogs do such good work for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Drove marketing co-ordinator Jane Carter said: "This is the first time we have done this and we're really pleased that Sassy could be sponsored.

"Guide dog user Julia Dodds of Haydon Wick is one of our customers. We know what it means to her to have a dog."

Some of the money was raised when four staff took part in a sponsored SAS challenge.