BOLTON's Guide Dogs for the Blind Association will be high-profile in the town centre tomorrow for their annual flag day.

The association is also backing the nationwide campaign for pubs and restaurants to open their doors to guide dogs.

It hopes to raise vital funds for the Bolton-based charity -- which suffered huge losses due to this year's Foot and Mouth crisis when a number of shows and events in the countryside were cancelled.

Volunteers will be selling Christmas cards and other items at the Market Place and a large number of guide dogs in training will be joining collectors.

As part of national guide dog week, which ends on Monday, the Bolton volunteers want to encourage local pubs and restaurants to open their doors to guide dogs.

Peter Emmett, of the association, said: "Imagine arriving at your local pub or restaurant, looking forward to an evening out, only to be turned away at the door because your guide dog is not welcome.

"This is the humiliating experience that many guide dog owners face.

"The association is urging all licensees and restaurateurs to open their doors to guide dog owners and their dogs."

People who want to help out can call 01204 492534.