FORMER Home Secretary David Blunkett will visit Atherton next week to visit the proposed site of a new guide dog training centre.

Mr Blunkett and guide dog Sadie will be joined by Leigh MP Andy Burnham at Gibfield Park on Friday March 4 for the tour of the planned state-of-the-art centre.

The MPs will meet members of the charity including Val Woolrich who trained guide dog Sadie, trainee guide dogs and guide dog and their trainers.

The Guide Dogs centre will feature the latest in kennel design, indoor and outdoor training facilities and visitor viewing areas and would become a focus for the Association's fundraising and volunteer support in the region.

The centre would also become a focal point for the charity's puppy walkers and would be used for puppy training classes, educational seminars and the induction of new volunteers.

The developer believes that Gibfield Park is an ideal location because it offers excellent transport links with Daisy Hill train station being close by, but the site would also be located away from houses.

They plan to submit a planning application to Wigan Council in the next few weeks.

Andy Burnham said: "To host such a prestigious resident would be a real boost for Atherton and would generate much interest and goodwill. It would also help secure the success of the Gibfield development as a diverse project bringing a range of benefits to the local community, including educational and leisure."