TRAINEE guide dog Star will make her final public appearance tomorrow before she bids farewell.The popular pup will be at the craft fair in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind at the leisure centre in Undercliff Road West, Felixstowe.

TRAINEE guide dog Star will make her final public appearance tomorrow before she bids farewell.

The popular pup will be at the craft fair in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind at the leisure centre in Undercliff Road West, Felixstowe.

The event runs from 10am to 4pm - admission is free - and there will be a large amount of stalls selling kit for various crafts.

Evening Star readers and Guide Dog supporters have raised more than �22,000 in the past 12 months to pay for Star's breeding and initial training - and the extra will be used to pay for a second puppy.

Puppy walker Penny Parker, who has been looking after Star for her first year, is still waiting for the phone call which will confirm the pup's next role - either as a brood bitch or guide dog - but expects the tearful goodbye on Wednesday .

“No matter how many puppies you have for Guide Dogs, saying goodbye is always the hardest part,” said Mrs Parker.

“You get to know them so well over the year and don't want them to go, but you know they are going off to do fantastic work to help someone who is blind or visually-impaired.

“Star is a super dog and we will miss her terribly.”

If Star becomes a brood bitch she will go on Wednesday to the guide dogs breeding centre at Tollgate near Leamington Spa for two weeks of assessments, and if all goes well from there to live with a family nearby.

If she fails any test, she will return to Felixstowe to be spayed, staying two weeks before going off to full guide dog training.

Mrs Parker said Star - who has a small foot injury at present and forced to wear a head shade - had so far passed all tests for both roles.

To donate to the appeal, please send cheques - made payable to the Guide Dogs - to Richard Cornwell, Evening Star, 172 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7DU.