AFTER four months on the road, Barney the flat-coated retriever is back home in Catton.

The eight-year-old hero hound and his owners Bob and Jos Mahon have walked over 1,400 miles from Lands End to John O’ Groats – raising over £5,500 for guide dogs along the way.

Barney was supported in his training and challenge by Hadrian Vets in Hexham who gave Barney his 800 mile MOT for free.

Dogs Unite for Guide Dogs have been asking people to show their support by joining Dogs Unite Match a Mile for Barney, and to date over 1,000 people have matched a mile by gaining sponsorship for their own dog walks.

The journey began down in Cornwall on March 26, and the intrepid trio have covered the full length of the British mainland.

Barney is no stranger to life on the road, having previously accompanied his owners to the top of 220 of the 282 Munros – mountains over 3,000 feet – in Scotland

A Dogs Unite spokesman said: “We are incredibly grateful to Barney, Bob and Jos and to the thousand people who have matched their miles.

“It just shows what a true inspiration Barney is and how amazing the general public are for taking part.”