CLEVER collie Taos is a whizz at emptying the washing machine, tidying up and even sorting out her own food.

But the canny canine is struggling to learn one essential skill before he can pass out of disabled dog school.

Owner Meg O'Kelly needs to teach her how to put a footplate up and down on a wheelchair before he is a fully qual- ified.

Meg is a volunteer for Canine Partners, a charity which supplies highly trained dogs to help disabled people with their everyday chores.

She is considering setting up a branch in this area and is training Taos up as a demonstration dog, so she can show people the kind of help they can get from their canine companions.

Putting a footplate up and down is an essential task for any dog helping disabled people.

"Taos can do most things but she cannot be a demonstration dog until she learns the footplates on a wheelchair," explained Meg.

"I do not have one for training so am hoping that someone has an old wheelchair that they do not need."

Meg is hoping to set up a satellite puppy training centre in Gloucestershire, possibly the Forest.

Anyone who has an old wheelchair she can use can contact her on 01594 826688.