TODDLERS at a Faringdon nursery said a fond farewell to guide dog Ufton.

The nine-year-old Labrador Retriever has been a regular visitor to the Old Station Nursery in Park Road as his owner Lynn Oliver, who is blind, lives across the road.

She and Ufton called in at the nursery on Thursday so youngsters could say goodbye to Ufton as he is retiring as a guide dog and going to a new home.

Nursery manager Maggie Barrett said: “Lynn and Ufton have been into the nursery quite a few times because she lives nearby.

“He has been her eyes and ears for about seven years and Lynn tells the children about guide dogs and the work they do.”

Billy Watkin, four, from Faringdon, said: “I gave the dog a big hug.”

Mrs Oliver, 68, said she has been registered blind for about 30 years after suffering a heriditary retinal disease.

She said: “Ufton is retiring and is going to live with another family a few miles away.

“I’m now on the waiting list for another guide dog.

“The children at the nursery really enjoy it when we visit.”

Staff at the nursery look after 78 children aged three months to five years.