Extra chairs needed for Guide Dogs' autumn sale

Stalls included Guide Dogs Association gifts, stationery, books, cakes and bric-a-brac.

Seating space at which to enjojy coffee was at a premium - as was parking space outside.

Asked about the effect of recession on branch fund-raising, chairman Nigel Lockwood said: "If anything, our coffee mornings tend to have done better than ever recently.

"We now have four a year here at Little Common Community Centre. It seems to be a very popular venue. People know we will be here and come and support us."

Looking around the bustling hall, he added: "It is excellent when you have to bring in extra chairs and cram them into odd corners in order to fit everyone in!"

The Guide Dogs For The Blind Association's mission is to provide guide dogs, mobility and other rehabilitation services that meet the needs of blind and partially sighted people.

The association is the world's largest breeder and trainer of working dogs. Thanks to the work of dedicated staff and volunteers, some 21,000 blind and partially-sighted people have experienced the independence that a guide dog can bring.

The sssociation is changing to meet the needs of more people and bring independence and mobility to more visually-impaired people than ever before.