NORWEGIAN beauty Freya is the latest recruit on the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People scheme.

Like most Scandinavians, she is fair and has long legs all four of them.

The 14-week-old pup is a Norwegian Buhund that has been kindly donated to the charity, based in Saunderton, by a private breeder to be trained as a hearing dog for deaf people.

Freya is currently with one of the charity's volunteer socialisers where she will learn basic obedience, be taken round the streets and shops and be introduced to general household noises.

If she passes that stage she will move on to her advanced soundwork training where she will be matched with a deaf recipient and be trained to respond to sounds such as the telephone, doorbell and alarm clock.

Jenny Moir, spokesman for Hearing Dogs, said: "We are extremely grateful to the breeder who donated Freya to us as we are always looking for puppies and dogs with the potential to be trained."

Freya is not the only new Scandinavian kid on the block. She is joined by Spud, who is a Swedish Valhund also donated by a private breeder.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People are holding an Open Evening on Wednesday in the hope of attracting members of the public to become puppy socialisers.

The evening starts at 7.30pm at the charity's training centre at The Grange, Wycombe Road, Saunderton.

Puppy socialising manager Ann Canning will be on hand to talk through what is expected of a socialiser and light refreshments will be available.

There will be another open evening in September if people cannot make next week's meeting.