Guide dog allowed on Eurostar

Cross-Channel rail company allows guide dogs on trains

A man from Brighton has made history as one of the first passengers to travel on Eurostar with a guide dog.

Colin Davies has spent years campaigning to get dogs on board the cross-Channel trains - on Wednesday he achieved his aim.

Eurostar has now joined the pet passport scheme run by the government.

The Pet Travel Scheme allows owners of companion animals to take them in and out of Britain.

Eurostar has trained staff and installed special facilities to check the animals once they re-enter the UK.

Free ticket for dog

Any blind or partially-sighted person booking a ticket will get an adjacent seat for their dog, free of charge.

The dogs were previously unable to accompany their owners on the fast passenger services because the company had banned the carriage of all animals.

But now guide dogs can travel from London to Paris, Brussels and Lille.

A Eurostar spokesman said the company has worked with the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association to ensure the necessary procedures are in place.