Guide dogs are praised for their instinct and reliability, but Jo Westlake's dog Barley has proved she is a cut above the rest - by guiding her owner and her twin sons too.

Jo, 45, has been blind since she suffered a brain tumour when she was 10 years old. She has had a number of guide dogs during her life and was given Barley almost four years ago, before she became pregnant.

But once Jo's twin boys Oliver and James were born, Barley had no option but to adapt to the new arrivals.

Jo, who lives in Surbiton, said: "I had a double buggy adapted for me and Barley adapted to the new arrangement by guiding all of us. Now the twins are walking I have them on reigns, and one walks next to me, and one holds on to Barley's lead."

This extraordinary achievement was noticed by Jo's mother-in-law, who nominated Barley as guide dog of the year for a BBC Breakfast competition.

Jo said: "I suppose it's because Barley had to take on something different. Most guide dogs are for one person but Barley's taken on all three of us. She is very good.

"I think it's amazing what guide dogs achieve. I especially notice it when I'm without her. The other day when I came home from church, Barley was being taken for a walk and I had to use a stick. But a stick can't tell you when to cross the road safely."

Vicky Bell, of Guide Dogs, said: "Although all our guide dogs are extraordinary in their own right, the BBC Breakfast Guide Dog of the Year Awards will recognise some of those dogs that are truly outstanding, having completely changed the life of their owner, performed a heroic act or gone above and beyond the call of duty in their amazing work."

The winner of guide dog of the year will be decided by viewers of BBC Breakfast, and the winner named in September.