Before the tiny Papillon became her constant companion more than 11 years ago, because of Diana's lack of hearing she would have been unaware anyone was at the door of her home in Climping.

And if she was expecting a visitor such as someone to service her central heating, she would have had to sit by the door until he arrived in case she missed the ring of the bell.

Now thanks to her invaluable canine friend, she can get on with her household tasks or sit and enjoy reading a book, knowing he will alert her to callers and to many other sounds she would otherwise have missed.

Pepe is one of a nationwide band of dogs specially trained by Hearing Dogs for Deaf People to change the lives of their deaf owners by providing them with greater independence, confidence and security.

And he and Diana are among the charity's best ambassadors, attending events and talks far and wide to help spread the word about this invaluable work.

Now they are spearheading the drive to set up a branch in West Sussex as although Hearing Dogs for Deaf People has a UK-wide network of volunteers, as yet there is no representation in this area.

"Pepe has changed my life completely," said Diana. "I'm a speaker for the charity now but until Pepe came to live with me I wouldn't have had the courage to go out and do that kind of thing.

"He has made me so much more relaxed and confident both in my home and when I go out. But it does take me two hours to do my shopping because people love him so much and are so interested in finding out what he does for me."

Diana, who is now in her 60s, began to lose her hearing at the age of four and her deafness deteriorated steadily from then. When she first heard of the charity in 1982, she had a pet dog of her own but did not need a 'hearing dog' at that stage as her parents were still alive.

"My hearing has got worse and worse over the years and life was much more difficult once I was living on my own, so Pepe made all the difference when he came to me through the charity 11-and-a-half years ago," she said.

"As well as having a wonderful companion, he has worked wonders in building my confidence. When the cooker timer goes off, he will come and touch me and then lead me to the cooker, and he also wakes me when my alarm goes off.

"If the fire alarm were to go off, he is trained to come and touch me and then lie down - that is his signal for danger.

"The dogs can also be trained to reach to a baby alarm, for instance, and to go and fetch certain things."

Around three-quarters of hearing dogs are selected from rescue centres, so the charity also transforms the lives of many unwanted animals. They are chosen on the basis of having the right character and temperament - they must be good with people and alert to sounds.

It takes between six and eight months to complete their training, depending on the progress of individual dogs.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is also now collaborating with two other charities, Midhurst-based Canine Partners and Guide Dogs for the Blind, training dogs to be companions to people who are not only deaf but have other disabilities.

Another new development is teaming a hearing dog with deaf children, which can have a remarkably positive effect on the development of the youngsters in terms of self-confidence, self-esteem and social interaction with peers and adults.

Volunteers are one of the charity's most valuable resources, helping to raise both awareness of its work and funds. The nearest branch to West Sussex is Southampton, but Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is keen to establish a branch in the county.

"I think it is very important to have a branch here, as if we're arranging talks or having stands at events in West Sussex it it is quite a long way for volunteers to travel over here," said Diana.

"We want as many branches as possible throughout the country and anyone who would like to join as a volunteer in West Sussex would be made very welcome indeed.

"I am always happy to go and give a talk to organisations of all kinds about our work, or into schools, and take Pepe with me so everyone can see what a wonderful and valuable little companion he is."

Diana and Pepe proved to be the main attraction at a recent 'recruitment day' for volunteers held by the charity at the Wyevale garden centre in Chichester.

A large number of potential volunteers turned up and a meeting will be held in the near future for everyone who expressed an interest in becoming involved.

"We would love to hear from anyone interested in joining us, or get a speaker to go along to a group and give a talk," said Sue Pellow, regional fundraiser. "And Diana and Pepe are so popular that when we get feedback from all over the country, they are the ones who have made the biggest impact of all!"

For more information, or to volunteer to help set up a branch in West Sussex, tel Sue, on 01323 508932 or 07917 170122, or email sue.pellow@hearingdogs.org.uk

How it's grown

1982 Hearing Dogs for Deaf People was officially launched at Crufts dog show under the auspices of the Royal National Institution for the Deaf.

1983 The first hearing dog, Lady, was successfully placed, followed by a further four - Chum, Pebble, Chalfont and Proddy.

1984 Sixteen deaf people had joined the waiting list and nine hearing dogs were placed, including Skipper who was the first dog to accompany his recipient to work, with Kerena Marchant in the subtitling department of the BBC. He featured on the Nine O'clock News receiving his BBC staff ID card.

1985 Twenty-six deaf people were on the waiting list and 13 hearing dogs placed.

1986 Hearing Dogs was granted charitable status, enabling the purchase of an old boarding kennel with scope for development into a training centre. Thirty-two deaf people on the waiting list and 15 hearing dogs placed.

1986-1990 The charity virtually doubled in size, volunteers set up fundraising branches throughout the UK and in 1990 the 100th hearing dog, Spring, was placed.

1991 A huge increase in demand for trained dogs led to the launch of a successful appeal on BBC Lifeline for £500,000 which enabled the charity to buy and run a second training facility to cut the waiting list by half.

1993 Jess, the 200th hearing dog, was placed.

1998 Demonstration dog Dill was voted Dog Brain of Britain. Candy became the 1000th hearing dog puppy selected for training.

2003 Roddy, the first-ever dual-purpose guide and hearing dog, was placed with a profoundly deaf and visually-impaired person.

2005 Babs, a rescue dog from the RSPCA, became the 1100th hearing dog placed.

2007 The charity celebrated its 25th anniversary at Crufts, where hearing dog Molly won the Friends for Life award.

2008 A pilot project launched to investigate the jbenefits of placing hearing dogs with deaf children.