A sight loss charity in Evesham has announced the arrival of its first adorable litter of puppies.

Guide Dogs delivered the news of its inaugural brood of the new year.

The guide dog mum, Hali, a black Labrador, welcomed seven thriving pups on Tuesday, January 2, sealing their status as the first guide dog puppies of 2024.

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The charity's breeding dog volunteer, Anthea Smith, who resides with Hali, said: "It’s all going really well.

"This is Hali’s second litter, and she was a good mum last time but is even better this time.

"She has just been fabulous – she is very attentive to the puppies.

"The first litter was a litter of seven, and we have a litter of seven healthy pups this time too.

"Six of the pups are black and one yellow."

The charity’s Breeding Dog Volunteers tend to a guide dog mum-to-be full-time, with all expenses covered by the charity.

The volunteers care for the mums, assist them during birthing and help nurture a litter of prospective guide dogs for roughly eight weeks, before the puppies venture out to commence their training.

The male parent of the litter is guide dog father, Uran, a yellow Labrador, who also resides with a breeding dog volunteer.

Kelly Newton, operations manager at Guide Dogs, said: "It’s fantastic to be able to announce the birth of our first litter of guide dog puppies in 2024.

"This year, we’re looking for new volunteers who could give a permanent home to one of our guide dog mums, and help to support them when they have their litters of future guide dogs.

"To do the role, you need to be 18 or over and live within an hour’s drive of our National Centre, just outside Leamington Spa.

"To find out more, please do get in touch."

Volunteers care for guide dog mums until they retire around the age of six, and are given the option to continuing caring the mother as a pet.

If you're interested in becoming a Breeding Dog Volunteer and offering a nurturing home to a guide dog mum in 2024, contact Volunteering Coordinator Verity O’Donnell at volunteermidlands@guidedogs.org.uk or call 0800 781 1444.