GUIDE dog Mason enjoyed plenty of cuddles as his owner received a £2,802 cheque earlier today.

Pontypool Community Council councillor Gaynor James raised the cash for Guide Dogs Cymru through a series of fundraisers.

During her year as chairman, she held events including a rock ‘n roll night, an old-tyme dance, a rugby match and ran a charity stall outside her clothes shop at Pontypool Indoor Market.

The money she raised is to be allocated to Guide Dogs Cymru and Wales Air Ambulance, two charities she is passionate about. She collected £5,605 in total.

Because she gathered more than £2,500, Cllr James has qualified for Guide Dogs’ Donate a Name scheme, which allows her to choose the name of a future guide dog puppy.

Cllr James said: “I love dogs and have two German Shepherds of my own at home.

“I’d like to call a puppy Aslan after the lion in the Chronicles of Narnia – courageous, kind and powerful.”

She added: “I chose to split the money I raised between Guide Dogs Cymru and Wales Air Ambulance, two charities I’m really passionate about.

"One man from Pontypool gave me £500 but wanted to remain anonymous.”