A GUIDE dog puppy became the centre of attention at a Potters Bar primary school this week.

Hugh, the 12 week old labrador-retriever cross, visited Oakmere Primary School to help children learn about the impact of sight loss.

The visit was organised by Tamsin Sebba, a teacher at the primary school in Chace Avenue, who is caring for Hugh until next March, when he will be ready for his guide dog training.

Miss Sebba looks after Hugh with her partner Paul Doyle.

She said: “We applied to be a puppy boarder because we wanted a dog but couldn't commit to having a pet for a number of years.

“Paul works from home and he wanted some company, so the situation is perfect for us.”

Headteacher, Julie Lilly, said: “The children enjoyed every moment of having Hugh in school and they now have a real understanding of how highly trained and skilled these dogs need to be.”

Hugh visited the school as part of The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association's twice annual 'Guide Dogs at School' event.

Miss Sebba read about the event in the Guide Dogs magazine, and said the children were “very excited” about the puppy's arrival.

Among activities set by the Guide Dogs charity, the children and teachers got dressed in the dark, or blindfolded, to show how difficult life can be without sight, and how much guide dogs are able to help.

Guide Dogs’ Chief Executive Richard Leaman explains: “We encourage young people to develop empathy with people who have a visual impairment, and understand how we can all do things to make the lives of visually impaired people easier.”