THE first steps have been taken in setting up a centre where abandoned dogs will be trained to help disabled and elderly people.

Dog trainer Ian Young is hoping to train rescued dogs to meet the needs of their future owners, from answering telephones to reminding them when to take tablets.

Last year, Mr Young publicised his not-for-profit organisation, the International Service Dog Fund, by walking 900 miles from Germany to his home town of Chester-le-Street with his labrador, Sally.

He had been training dogs in Germany for disabled people, and now he has rented a home in Esh Winning, near Durham, where he will train two service dogs in a six-month pilot project.

He must live with the dogs while they are being trained, to recreate a home environment and needs to constantly raise funds to pay the bills and buy equipment.

Two fundraising events he has planned include an auction in May and a fun day for dogs at The Waldridge Tavern, Chester-le-Street, in June.

He said: "We are taking dogs that otherwise just go from home to home because they do not get trained and people give them up because they are too active."

Anyone who can help with fundraising is asked to call Mr Young on 0781 8258872.