BRITISH Airways has once again welcomed one of its most frequent flyers and his ever faithful canine friend.

EJ the labrador, a fully trained assistance dog, travelled with his owner, Hounds for Heroes charity founder Allen Parton, from London Heathrow up to Edinburgh recently, and in doing so notched up his 265th flight.

He was joined by fellow assistance dog Rookie, a golden retriever.

The purpose of the Hounds for Heroes charity, based in Petersfield, is to provide specially-trained assistance dogs to injured and disabled men and women of both the UK Armed Forces and the emergency services.

The two dogs, who were also accompanied by Hounds for Heroes head trainer Lexi Webb, were on a mission to raise awareness of the charity among Scotland’s veterans community, both from the armed forces and emergency services.

This flying visit involved a photoshoot at South Queens Ferry, at the Grey Frier’s Bobby statue and finally at Edinburgh Castle with serving armed forces personnel alongside so as to re-enforce the charity’s commitment to the Scottish veterans community.

Mr Parton, who lives in Clanfield, said: “During my 24 years in the Royal Navy I was based in Rosyth, spent two years in Glasgow at Kentigan House Ministry of Defence building and two of my ships proudly bore their Scottish connection – HMS Fife and HMS Glasgow.

“Personally for me Scotland really is my home from home and visits like this take on a real poignancy.

“I am very delighted to be able to report that we are receiving and processing applicants from as far away as Inverness and the Shetlands.”

Visits to the homes of some of the applicants for assistance dogs is easier due to the nature of the veterans’ injuries and that also gives Rookie valuable experience of various modes of transport during trips like this, including plane travel.

Mr Parton added: “The genuine welcome to both dogs and humans by the British Airways ground and on board crews has been absolutely incredible and a trip like this would not be possible without British Airways and the airport’s support throughout.

“We salute them all and the Scottish phrase ‘haste ye back’ was heard an awful lot during our trip and Hounds for Heroes will return.”

For more details about the charity visit their website at: www.houndsfor heroes.com