EXCITED staff and assistance dogs at Canine Partners charity welcomed the Queen for a special visit today (Thursday).

The Queen was presented with a bouquet by assistance dog Yarna, and handlers demonstrated how puppies from 12 weeks are trained up and paired with people with physical disabilities to enable them to enjoy greater independence.

Volunteer at the Midhurst charity, Alison Bailey, who shares her home with Yarna, said: “This has been the best day of my life. I’m thrilled to bits.

“Yarna performed very well. She stepped forward and made her curtesy as she learned to do in normal training and gave the posy to the Queen.”

See next week’s Herald for full story and photos.