A charity that pairs guide dogs with blind or partially sighted people has launched an apprenticeship scheme.

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association said the scheme was launched after a shortage of guide dog mobility instructors in the region.

The association has received a number of applications and a new batch of instructors are being trained, but there is still one vacancy left.

The role of a guide dog mobility instructor involves taking trainee dogs through the final stages of training and then matching and training them with blind or partially sighted people.

For up to four weeks, the instructors work daily with the dog and the new owner, either at their home or from a hotel, preparing them for their new partnership.

Alison Booth, guide dog mobility instructor for the area, said: "An instructor's work is hard and demanding, walking long distances almost every day in all conditions.

"However, this is clearly counterbalanced by the satisfaction of knowing you are making life-changing differences to blind and partially sighted people."

The apprenticeship training lasts for three years and some of the training will be undertaken at the charity's sites in the Midlands and Bolton.

After three years, those who complete the apprenticeship will be fully qualified guide dog mobility instructors.

Eddy McCabe, of Pocklington, is the district team manager for the charity, and said: "We have been short of instructors for some time, but we have some apprentices going through their training at the moment and we need one more.

"It is a very rewarding job because you see the end product of what you do."