A NEW centre, which will allow a charity to more than double the number of dogs it trains to help disabled people, has been opened in Banbury.

The state-of-the-art centre is the latest addition to the HQ of Dogs for the Disabled on Blacklocks Hill.

It was opened by Anthony Preston, the founder and former chairman of Pets at Home superstores.

The mayor of Banbury, John Donaldson, was guest of honour.

The centre was mostly funded by Pets at Home staff and customers Peter Gorbing, chief executive of Dogs for the Disabled, said: "The new centre will make an impact on our work. Dogs and their partners will benefit from the design of the new building which includes classrooms, new kennels, and training rooms."

The classrooms will provide new space where disabled adults and children can learn to work with their "assistance" dogs, which are trained to help with everyday tasks such as opening and closing doors, picking up dropped items, and taking clothes from washing machines.