The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association has put together a free credit card-sized guide to help owners of hotels, guesthouses and restaurants provide a quality service

	A guide dog in a Belfast pub

to visually impaired guests.

A spokeswoman said many guide dog owners were still being refused entry to premises - especially restaurants and pubs - while others received little help from staff.

The guide - called Open Your Doors - will be available in October, when the Disability Discrimination Act kicks in.

The charity will also award certificates to exemplary premises nominated by blind and partly sighted customers. "Highlighting good practice will help to make it the norm," said director of policy Tom Pey.

For your free guide, contact 0118 983 8281 or e-mail chris.dyson@guidedogs.org.uk.