Claire Johnson and Mark Gaffey have inspired other blind people around the world after finding love with the help of their beloved guide dogs.

The couple met along with their dogs, Venice and Rodd, at a training week several years ago.

It became clear that the two golden Labradors only had eyes for each other. 50-year-old Claire said: “Our dogs were the class love story. Everyone used to joke about how Mark's dog Rodd and my dog Venice were meant to be together.”

Rodd and Venice spent the two-week training course nuzzling each other and were heartbroken when their love-in came to an end.

Rather than put their puppies through heartbreak, Claire and Mark decided to keep in touch so their pooches could keep their love alive.

Eventually the puppy play dates led to a romance between Claire and Mark, and soon the owners realised that their dogs had led the soul mates to one another.

Mark popped the question on Valentine’s Day and earlier this year the happy couple wed, with Venice and Rodd acting as ring bearers in the romantic ceremony.

Claire says: “I have no doubt that our guide dogs brought us together and helped me find my true love. Much like our two guide dogs, we really are best friends and soul mates.”

You can help create more incredible guide dogs like Venice and Rodd by sponsoring a puppy. Visit www.guidedogs.org.uk to find out more.

Did you know:

*It costs Guide Dogs around £50,000 to support a guide dog from birth to retirement *

It costs £5 a day to support each working guide dog partnership

It takes around 20 months of specialised training to transform a newborn puppy into a confident guide dog.