A KEEN swimmer will take the plunge to raise money for an organisation that trains dogs to help disabled people.

Dog trainer Ian Young has set up the International Dog Service Fund as a not-for-profit organisation to coach animals to perform tasks that the elderly and handicapped cannot do.

Last year Mr Young walked 900-miles with his labrador Sally on a journey from Germany, where he had been working, to Chester-le-Street.

Mr Young plans to set up a centre for his scheme and is seeking charitable status.

David Price, who has learning difficulties, will do a sponsored swim for the organisation at Chester-le-Street's swimming pool on Monday, July 28.

David, who is with the Gaps project based at Framwellgate Moor in Durham, recently won a bronze medal in a local swimming competition.

Mr Young said: "He was looking for something to do and he got our number and rang us up and said he would like to do something for us.

"We are over the moon that he is doing this for us. We are grateful for every penny that we can get.''

Mr Young is currently working on a number of projects including training a dog for a Scottish woman crippled by arthritis.