MORE than 100 guide dog owners have attended a lobby at Westminster Hall in Parliament to share their experiences of being turned away by businesses and to draw attention to their Access All Areas campaign.

Among them were Stephen Joiner from Woodchurch and Les Deegan from Greasby who met up with their MP Margaret Greenwood. Stephen and Les were accompanied by their guide dogs Jodie and Hendrix.

The Guide Dogs charity launched its campaign back in 2015 after hearing from countless guide dog owners about being refused access to public places because of their dog.

However under the equality act, owners of trained assistance dogs are entitled by law to access goods and services without discrimination.

Ms Greenwood said: "I was delighted to be able to meet up with Stephen and Les and their guide dogs at this event.

"I know how passionately they have campaigned on this issue and it was very helpful to hear about their experiences.

"It is vital that we all become aware of just how important a guide dog can be to someone who is blind or partially sighted."

Stephen Joiner said: "It was great to meet up with our MP Margaret Greenwood and brief her about the Guide Dogs’ campaign.

"This mass lobby is all about connecting as many guide dog owners as possible with their MPs to help build support for this vital campaign.”

Les Deegan said: "Shops, restaurants, taxis, gyms and hotels are still, in some cases, refusing access to guide dog owners because of their dog.

"Clearly this is not acceptable and access refusals need to end."