Staff from the North Somerset Times put on their blindfolds - for a event to raise awareness of problems enountered by visually impaired people.

North Somerset Times editor Heather Pickstock and reporter Kirsty Stowell were blindfolded and led along Clevedon seafront for the walk organised by the Lions Club of Clevedon.

Local representatives from RNIB, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Guide Dog puppy walkers and the Air Training Corps also joined the trek along with partially sighted people.

The walk was organised by the club as part of its international Sight First programme in Africa and the Indian sub continent.

Lions clubs across the country have sponsored eye camps and mobile hospitals over the past 12 years and have restored sight to hundreds of thousands of people suffering from glaucoma, cataracts and river blindness.

Kirsty said: "I have never done anything like this before and it really brought home the problems encountered by visually impaired people.

"I was extremely glad to take the blindfold off, it makes you realise how valuable your sight is."

Clevedon Lions Club president Rob Gemmell said: "We were delighted to have Heather and Kirsty join the walk as the North Somerset Times is one of our greatest supporters in the local community.

"The walk really raised awareness of issues faced by blind people and promoted the importance of eye health care."

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