Maureen Rowley pictured with guide dog Gus, from Bristol

Hundreds of guide dogs and their visually impaired owners and supporters of The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association were at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on Monday 4 December for a service to commemorate 75 years of guide dog training in the UK, which began in Merseyside in 1931.

The service included readings, prayers and musical performances to celebrate this important milestone in history. Highly acclaimed organist and guide dog owner David Aprahamian Liddle performed an organ recital for the congregation and guide dog owner and charity trustee Richard Lane played the violin. Liverpool Anglican Cathedral Canon, Toby Forward led the blessing.

A thanksgiving address, delivered by the Chairman of Guide Dogs, highlighted the life-transforming difference that over 25,000 guide dogs have made to their blind or partially sighted owners' lives over the past 75 years.