Dogs use cash machines

Dogs are being trained to use cash machines for their disabled owners.

They insert and withdraw cards at ATMs to help owners in wheelchairs who are not able to reach.

A spokesman for charity Canine Partners, which trains the dogs, said: "They put in the card and take it out and take out the money and give it to the person in the wheelchair.

"They can't put in the Pin but a person in a wheelchair can go sideways on and do that."

Up to 30 dogs are trained each year and the charity is hoping to double that figure next year.

It takes two years to train them, in which time they also learn to load the washing and pick up items from shop shelves.

The cash machine scheme was started by chance when Gulf War veteran Allen Parton was at a cash machine with his labrador Endal.

Wheelchair-bound Mr Parton was struggling to retrieve his cash when Endal jumped up to reach for the card, money and receipt with his mouth.

He said: "It was amazing, as he had never been taught to do this."