Meet Irwin the guide dog - who is allergic to meat.

The black Labrador-golden retriever cross cannot have chicken or meat as it brings him up in a rash.

"He gets rashes on his paws if he eats meat and can't walk properly. He's a vegetarian by design," said owner Liam White, 17.

"He has to have special food because of it which the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association pay for. It's better if he avoids meat altogether."

Liam became one of the youngest people in the UK to get a guide dog after the charity relaxed its age restrictions so people under 16 can get a dog.

The Barnsley College student, of Birkwood Avenue, Cudworth, was born blind and had only been able to go out with his parents Tracey and John until he was paired up with Irwin, who will be three later this month.

He had to master walking with a long cane before he was able to start searching for a suitable guide dog.

"It took about a year to find a suitable match for me. He's absolutely brilliant, all my family love him. I could do nothing before, besides going out with mum and dad to do a bit of shopping, but he's transformed my life.

"I have been all over Barnsley now and it's a lot better to be able to go out on my own. He helps me to get around obstacles and if he hears a car that I can't then he wont move.

"I wouldn't change him for anything."