One man and his dog who dared to take on the might of train giant Eurostar yesterday won their battle when the company ditched its ban on guide dogs.

Eurostar yesterday announced it was changing its rules and allowing the dogs to travel on cross-channel services from the autumn.

The turnaround came after an 18-month campaign by Peacehaven guide dog owner Colin Davies, who urged them to reconsider the ban when his dog Robert was refused permission to travel on the Eurostar.

The victory means golden retriever Robert could become the first animal to travel to the French capital on the luxury train service.

Mr Davies, 57, of Southview Road, launched his battle after being forced to cancel a day trip to France on learning Eurostar's animal ban included guide dogs.

Furious that the visually-impaired were unable to use the service, he set about collecting the signatures of more than 1,500 people calling for guide dogs to be allowed on board.

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association took up his cause as part of its Access for All campaign and urged Eurostar to reverse its policy.

In a statement yesterday, Eurostar said guide dogs could board its services from London to Paris, Brussels and Lille free of charge for the first time from the autumn.

In recent months, Eurostar staff have been training with Guide Dogs for the Blind and working with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to put in place the procedures and facilities needed for the policy to operate.

Paul Charles, Eurostar's director of communications, said: "This is an important initiative for Eurostar and, after the introduction of guide dogs, we will review the possibility of carrying other working dogs.

"However, it is key to stress that Eurostar continues its policy of not transporting other animals or pets."

Ex-RAF serviceman Mr Davies, who is registered blind and goes everywhere with Robert, said: "When we found out we couldn't travel on Eurostar, it made me feel that I wasn't part of society.

"What this shows is that doing what I did can work if you hit a public nerve and you're not doing it just for political correctness.

"People were stopping me in the street asking how the campaign was going so we had a lot of support."

Guide Dogs for the Blind have targeted plane, train, bus and boat operators to encourage them to allow guide dogs. Transport is not covered by the Disability Discrimination Act.

Guide Dogs spokesman Robin Hutchinson said: "We are delighted that Eurostar is committed to the guide dog partnership ensuring that blind and partially-sighted people can maximise the independence achieved through their guide dog.

"Guide dogs offer their owners freedom and mobility, ensuring confidence from owners on trains.

"Guide dogs are well- behaved and discreet. The grooming regime puts considerable emphasis on hygiene. Therefore other passengers should hardly notice their presence."

The charity said it would continue urging Brittany Ferries - the only remaining transport operator to refuse to carry guide dogs - to change its policy.

Brighton solicitor Richard Schaverien has been lobbying the French-owned company to reverse its rules stating guide dogs must be kept in vehicles on the car deck.

In June Brittany Ferries told us it would not be changing its policy because of safety concerns.