A BLIND man has asked the public to help him find his trainee guide dog Toffee.

Ian Francis, 46, of Gibbs Crescent, Oxford, said he has been unable to leave his home since Toffee, a four-year-old golden Labrador, ran away at Oxford Railway Station on Monday night.

Mr Francis said: “We needed some milk so we went to Marks & Spencer in the train station. He was acting as normal. All of a sudden, I don’t know if something spooked him but he slipped his collar and ran.”

Mr Francis, who is certified blind and also has kidney and heart problems, runs a voluntary group, VIP Lounge, to help people with sight problems access local services.

He inherited Toffee, now four, from a rescue centre about four weeks ago.

After travelling all the way to Caernarfon in Wales, he had intended to pick up a different dog but very quickly bonded with Toffee instead.

He said: “When I got there, Toffee took to me straight away. He goes everywhere with me, shopping, on the train, on the bus. I live alone; he’s my companion.”

Toffee is pale brown and slightly overweight. Mr Francis believes he ran around the side of the train station towards Botley Road.

The dog’s original owners, who live in Wales, have said they will offer a £500 reward to anyone who can locate him. Call the Oxford Mail on 01865 425405.