CUSTOMERS at Webbs Garden Centre in Wychbold, are being invited to help find a name for a new Guide Dog.

Over the last 12 months, customers at the centre have raised more than £5,000 for the Guide Dogs charity, which means they now have the chance to name their own puppy and sponsor it for the first year of its life.

Two years ago, customers took part in a similar competition to name a Guide Dog, choosing the name ‘Webster’ and this is the second puppy the centre has sponsored.

Webbs chairman Ed Webb, said: “It’s fantastic that our efforts and the generosity of our staff and customers will significantly improve the quality of life of a blind or partially sighted person for a second time and we can now become part of their life-changing story.

“Our customers will be able to meet him or her at Webbs and we will follow its progress with regular ‘pupdates’. Webster has been to visit us several times and we follow his progress with pride. We are all looking forward to welcoming the new puppy as soon as it’s old enough to be out and about.”

Ali Waterer from Guide Dogs, added: "Naming a puppy is a fantastic way for people and organisations to make a difference to the lives of people who are blind or partially sighted. Around 180,000 rarely leave home alone and without the help of fundraising schemes such as this we would not be able to help the number of people that we do – 810 new guide dog partnerships were created last year and we have helped more people than ever before.

“It’s only through support such as this from Webbs that we’re able to maintain our lifelong commitment to blind and partially sighted people in the community as the guide dog service relies purely on voluntary income which is why we are so grateful for the efforts that companies such as Webb's put in to support us."

The Guide Dog puppy will now be cared for by a volunteer puppy walker, who will be able to bring the puppy into the Wychbold store for visits.

Anyone who wants to take part in the competition to name the new puppy, will be able to enter via the Facebook page, collect entry forms in the store, or download them from webbs.co.uk, and return them to Webbs by Thursday, April 30 to suggest a name.

The winner and their family will be given a free guided tour of the Guide Dogs national breeding centre in Leamington Spa as well as receiving £50 worth of Webbs vouchers.