ELMO the Bichon Frise has developed a potentially lifesaving bond with her nine-year-old owner, Millie Webb.

Millie suffers from refractory epilepsy and sometimes has up to 50 seizure a day, which can be dangerous if she is alone, but one-year-old Elmo stays by her side and is even showing signs of predicting a fit before it happens.

Parents Linda and Stuart, from Great Sankey, discovered Elmo’s gift in June and are now hoping to find an experienced dog trainer to teach their family pet to be a support animal.

They hope she could one day learn the skills to save Millie’s life.

Stuart, a 45-year-old engineer, said: “It’s still very stressful for Millie and her brothers and sisters too, all the time she’s getting worse. Little things like laughter and happiness can trigger a fit.

“Normal life changes so much, she wants to play in the street with her friends but we have to monitor her all the time.

“When Millie’s having a rough day, Elmo will sit by her and cries at the window if Millie goes outside to play. She won’t leave her side.

“In June, Elmo seemed to know a minute or two before Millie had a fit that she was going into a seizure. She has such and bond with her and we’d love to train her as a support dog.”

The Green Lane School pupil developed the condition aged four and loves swimming and Brownies, but had to give up dance and gymnastics because the illness tired her out.

She has been in and out of Alder Hey Hospital and proudly shows off her Beads of Courage – coloured glass beads she has been given by nurses for her bravery including a sunshine one for spending her birthday on the ward.

Mum Linda, a teaching assistant at Stockton Heath Primary, said: “We are very proud of her, she’s a superstar.

“We think Elmo’s got the gift to help Millie and we don’t want her to lose it. We are just looking for someone with the experience to teach her.”

Stuart added: “Millie's very strong willed, she will never give in and our strength comes from her.”

Visit the fundraising page for Elmo's training at gofundme.com/training-elmo-for-millie-2up4khxh and if you can help train her to become a seizure support dog email chloe.laversuch@nqnw.co.uk.