Four students at Glasgow School of Art have designed a scheme to train dogs to respond to alarms for people who forget to take medication due to memory loss.

Alzheimer's Scotland has already received funding from the Department of Health to design a pilot project and if the voluntary organisation gains the extra £130,000 funding it needs, it will be the first time dogs have been used to assist people with dementia.

The 'Dementia Dog' scheme was created when Alzheimer’s Scotland challenged students to come up with creative ways to improve the lives of people with dementia and now has the backing of Dogs For The Disabled and Guide Dogs.

Alzheimer’s Scotland’s deputy director, Joyce Gray, said: "We are really hopeful the dogs will not only be a huge practical help but also provide great emotional support.

"People with Alzheimer's disease can easily become isolated and the dog will be a constant companion and help them to keep social."

Canine training experts say dogs can be trained to carry out any task involving a pulling motion, so can open cupboards and fridges, flick light switches and even help with undressing as well as raising the alarm when their owner is in distress.