A sell-out fashion show at a top Norfolk vineyard saw guide dogs strut their stuff alongside their owner.  

Chet Valley Vineyard, just outside the city in Bergh Apton, hosted the show, which showcased clothes from French fashion brand Elora, in their winery.  

Among the amateur models taking to the catwalk was Lana Hempsall, deputy cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport at Norfolk County Council.  

She retains only around one per cent of her sight having been affected by Stargardt’s disease in her teenage years.  


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She was joined on the catwalk by labrador retriever Zorin, who has been her guide dog for the past five years. 

She said: “When I was 14 I thought becoming a model would solve all my problems and let me enjoy a glamorous life of fashion and travel. 

“It has taken me a long time to achieve that ambition of taking to the catwalk. 

“I had a slight anxiety about how Zorin would manage, as he clearly hasn’t shared that long-held ambition to be a model.  It was an alien environment for him, but he coped well.” 

The event was held to raise money for Vision Norfolk and ended up with £1,500 for the county’s sight loss charity.  

Bridget Hemmant, who runs Chet Valley Vineyard with her husband John and is also a consultant ophthalmologist and oculoplastic surgeon, was another of the amateur models.  

The fashion show is part of a programme of events run by Chet Valley Vineyard in its winery and tasting rooms and in its outdoor wine meadow.  

The next event will be a Friday Fizz and Pizza event on Friday October 20.  Full details of all the events at the vineyard can be found at www.chetvineyard.co.uk.