Justin Madders, the MP for Ellesmere Port and Bromborough, visited an exhibition to learn more about the devastating impact of guide dog owners being illegally turned away from businesses and services.

He also participated in an interactive quiz at the recent Labour Party conference in Liverpool, highlighting the numerous places where guide dog owners frequently face rejection.

The Guide Dogs charity's latest survey revealed that 88 per cent of guide dog owners have been refused entry or asked to leave a business or venue because they were with their guide dog.

Thousands of people with sight loss rely on guide dogs to live independently.

However, they are being stopped from going about their daily lives, turned away from cafés, restaurants, shops, and even medical appointments.

Minicabs and taxis remain a common source of rejections, with 58 per cent of survey respondents saying a minicab or taxi driver or company had refused to take them with their guide dog.

The charity is urging for all taxi and minicab staff to undergo training as part of the licensing process, so they understand the role of guide and other assistance dogs, and the legal rights of their owners.

Eleanor Briggs, head of policy, public affairs and campaigns at Guide Dogs, said: "Guide dogs are not a pet, they’re essential for many people to travel and live independently.

"But too many guide dog owners continue to face frustrating and often upsetting discrimination when trying to get out and about.

"We’re calling for better enforcement and education to prevent access refusals from happening in the first place.

"The high level of refusals in minicabs and taxis demonstrates the clear need for all minicab and taxi drivers to have high-quality disability equality training to prevent these refusals from happening in the first place."