A 'HEROIC' Labrador cross has been named Guide Dog of the Year.

Vaughn won the accolade for helping his owner, Susan Jones, who suffers from intermittent hearing loss that can strike without warning.

Without Vaughn to guide her, she would be left stranded.

On one occasion Susan, from Appleton, suddenly lost her hearing in a shopping centre. Vaughn nuzzled her hand as if to reassure her and turn her back in the right direction with his nose.

Another time, Susan's hearing disappeared in a park, Vaughn set them both on an about turn and guided Susan in the correct direction until her hearing returned.

Susan said: "I rely on my hearing to orientate myself and to lose it suddenly can be very frightening, but I know that Vaughn is here to help and guide me in the right direction."

The 44-year-old, from Kings Mews, off Bedford Street, added: "It is wonderful to have such a trusting working relationship with Vaughn and he is my hero!"