A SPECIAL four-legged friend got a tour of a Colchester department store.

Labradoodle puppy Ajay made the trip to High Street store Williams and Griffin, after the company donated a record-breaking £5,000 to the Guide Dogs for the Blind, which was its chosen charity for the year.

Ajay, who is just over two months old, visited the shop with his trainer, with whom he is set to begin 14 months of intensive training.

In recognition for the huge cash donation Williams and Griffin raised through a variety of events during the year, the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association gave it the opportunity to name a guide dog puppy.

Ajay was named after Andrew J Faint, who has worked on the Williams and Griffin charity committee for 18 years.

Sales and marketing director Lorraine Barnett said: "We were absolutely delighted to raise £5,000 for Guide Dogs for the Blind and feel very honoured to name a guide dog puppy."

She said she hoped Ajay would make regular visits in the future.