A guide dog charity celebrates 75 years of helping the blind in Bradford to achieve life-changing independence.

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is marking a special anniversary today after transforming the lives of blind and partially-sighted residents across Bradford and the country.

As a world leader in the breeding and training of guide dogs, the charity has given confidence and freedom of mobility to thousands.

Linda Byrne's life was turned around in 2002 when she contacted the charity, which provided her guide dog Dale.

Miss Byrne. of Swain House, who has four children in their 20s, is partially sighted and suffers with congenital cataract, glaucoma and a detached retina. She decided to get help after falling down the stairs in 2000 when her condition deteriorated.

Miss Byrne said: "Before Dale, the children were helping me out and I wasn't going any where unless they took me. Now I can go out myself - Dale has given me the independence and confidence.

"People who know me say I walk a lot faster with Dale."

Miss Byrne, 50, uses her dog to go to the shops, restaurants, on buses and when crossing roads and says she would be unable to function without him.

"Off the harness he is my pet and on the harness he is my guide dog. He's my eyes. He knows which shops I go into, alerts me of any hazards and guides me round obstacles. We work as a pair and you really have to."

Miss Byrne is thankful to the charity for all its work.

It began when four blind pioneers began guide dog training in 1931 with four German Shepherd dogs, which led to the creation of the charity in 1934.

As part of the anniversary celebrations the charity is unveiling an interactive exhibition called Moving Forward Together, which will tour the country to show the history of guide dog training through touch sensitive and audio displays.

Bridget Warr, chief executive of Guide Dogs, said: "We hope local guide dog owners and supporters of the charity will join us in commemorating the extraordinary partnerships between guide dogs and their owners over the past 75 years. We will continue to concentrate on the future needs of blind and partially-sighted people in order to provide the best possible Guide Dogs' service for many years to come."