Barny the Bearded Collie is a familiar face around Marston.

The three-year-old and his owner Christina Mudd visit elderly people living on their own in the village and further afield, already having a massive impact of the lives of those around him.

It all began when Christina, a former Age UK volunteer, took Barney to the Malvern House Care Home in Melksham to see her father-in-law, a resident.

But from one happy face has come plenty more in the subsequent period - with the duo far from done yet.

“We’d sit in the main room with all the elderly people and do ‘sit and stays’,” recalls Christina, 60.

“He loved seeing them and they loved seeing him.

“Then I started going to the HC One care home in Market Lavington to visit another lady, Peggy, who I used to visit at home.

“Someone told me about her – she had just lost her husband and was really down, but loved dogs so I took Barney to see her.

“We hit it off straight away and I’d take him down every week for two hours.

“In the main lounge, he’d sit down so everybody could pat him and give him biscuits. They just loved to see him.

“They talk to him like they wouldn’t talk to other people. They’d remember the dog’s name, where he lived, everything about him.

“It is so nice to see their faces light up when he comes in.”

To celebrate the impact he has had on so many elderly people, Barney will be rewarded at the 127th edition of Crufts this week, where the Bearded Collie Club are organising a special awards event.

Medals will be presented to Kennel Club breed-registered Bearded Collies that are actively working in a therapy dog capacity to celebrate their valuable contributions to their various communities.

It is the aim to recognise that although an active and intelligent breed they have adapted their wonderful and caring temperaments to work in the modern world.

“They’re so gentle. When Barney goes into the homes, it’s things that he just knows – he’s so caring, he goes up to them and puts his paw in their lap," added Christina.

“They’re so friendly with everybody and so obedient.

“You go into the homes and he is so caring, his tail’s wagging.

“I really am so proud of him. The elderly people at the care homes are so grateful when he comes in. Their faces brighten up and it makes their day so much, it’s lovely to see.

“Sometimes they don’t see people all day long, but to see Barney come in makes such a difference.

“I am so proud of what Barney has given to them, that he has done that to help them.”