TRAINEE guide dog Star may be heading for a change of roles - to spend her life as a mum.

TRAINEE guide dog Star may be heading for a change of roles - to spend her life as a mum.

A final decision has not yet been made, but there are now two options for the pup.

She could still become a guide dog, the eyes of a blind or visually-impaired person, or she may become a brood bitch, spending her life producing many more potential guide dogs.

Penny Parker, who is Star's puppy walker for the first year of her life, said Star was shortly to be assessed for her breeding potential.

“Because she comes from such good breeding stock herself and has such a lovely temperament she may well be chosen to be a brood bitch,” said Mrs Parker.

“If that happens, it means the money raised by Evening Star readers and Guide Dogs supporters for the appeal for Star's breeding and initial training will go to help produce many, many potential guide dogs over the years ahead.

“We don't know what will happen yet and she may be chosen to become a guide dog.

“She is doing really well and is very keen and willing, always looking to see how she can help, obeys instructions excellently and has been adapting well to all the different experiences she has had.”

If Star is chosen as a brood bitch she will be sent by Guide Dogs to become a pet in a family home within about 40 miles of the charity's breeding centre in Warwickshire.

The bitches are mated about once a year at the centre and give birth to their litters in the brood bitch holder's home. The puppies spend their first six weeks there with support and advice from centre staff.

The appeal has so far topped �22,000 and is now set to pay for two puppies. To donate, please send cheques - made payable to the Guide Dogs - to Richard Cornwell, Evening Star, 172 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7DU.

On May 16, Glamtasia will present a seventies-style glam-rock night at the Grosvenor in Ranelagh Road, Felixstowe in aid of the Guide Dogs Association.

The band play at 9pm but the pub is hoping to make it a real day of fundraising and are organising a raffle, tombola, barbecue and other activities.