A BLIND Winsford man left standing on the kerb by law-breaking cabbies has been put on the road to happiness by a friendly local taxi firm.

Craig Acton and seven-year-old black Labrador Fred now go everywhere with Winsford’s L&M Cars.

The 27-year-old has struck up a friendship with driver, Kenny Isherwood, but says too many others taxis are still flouting the law and refusing entry to people with guide dogs.

“If I ever need a cab, he’s there at the drop of a hat,” said the Newall Crescent resident.

“It’s great, Fred can go in the foot well or in the back and he even takes my sister Claire’s Staffordshire bull terrier puppy.”

While Craig’s sorted for pre-booked journeys from home, when L&M or one of Winsford’s other dog-friendly companies are busy; it’s a different matter.

The Guardian reported after he was abandoned on the kerbside with Claire by a licensed Hackney Carriage in Dene Drive.

“There are other firms in Winsford that send cabs but if I’m on my own and have to get a taxi from outside the town I tend to walk,” said Craig.

“If they say they don’t take dogs then I can’t do anything about it; I can’t see to make a note of their registration.

“I don’t want the hassle and I can’t be bothered with the excuses that some of them give out.”

The Guide Dogs charity says the problem is widespread nationally and affects people’s confidence to leave their home.

“Although it is against the law to refuse to carry a guide dog in a taxi, guide dog owners continue to report problems to us about this issue, said Penny Williams, from Guide Dogs.

“We would like to see a world where this discrimination simply does not exist.”