BURNLEY MP, Peter Pike has pledged his support to a campaign to give guide dog owners access to the minicabs that have left them standing on the side of the road.
Mr Pike, attended a reception at the House of Commons, organised by the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (GDBA) to highlight the charity's ongoing Access for All campaign.
He took part in a blindfold walk with a guide dog around a specially constructed obstacle course during the event, to get a feel for the value of a guide dog for the visually impaired.
The campaign was launched in October 2000 because of upset and frustrated guide dog owners who have been left stranded by taxi drivers refusing to carry dogs.
Mr Pike said: " I only walked up and down the obstacle course once so it is still hard to imagine having to get around when you can't see.
"But the dog just led me where I needed to go and I felt very confident. They are essential and no taxi driver should ever refuse them."
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