CHARITY chiefs are pleading for animal lovers to adopt guide dogs which have not made the grade.

The rare plea is being made by the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association which needs to find homes for its more problemsome animals.

The dogs require stable homes without children where an adult will be able to spend a lot of time looking after them.

In some cases the dogs need round-the-clock attention and can never be left alone.

Alison Houghton, the rehousing officer at the Bolton Guide Dogs for the Blind regional centre on Lowndes Street, said: "We have a list for families looking for a pet but that is currently closed.

"What we really need are homes for dogs which may have more pragmatic problems or who need time spending with them."

The dogs are mainly Labradors and Golden Retrievers with a small percentage of German Shepherds.

Would-be adopters are interviewed by the charity in a bid to build up a picture of the home the dog will be going to.

But once a dog is homed the association continues to contact the adopter for a 'trial period' and it promises to maintain support throughout the dog's life should it be needed.

The programme aims to match up the young dogs -- which are usually 12-18 months old -- with what staff consider to be potentially the new owner.

If you are interested and fit the criteria contact the centre on 01204 495111.