A LABOUR shadow minister visited Worcester to highlight the plight of sight loss - and see what the city is doing to help the blind.

Kate Green, Ed Miliband's shadow minister for disabilities, said she was highly impressed with the progress in Worcester in aiding visually impaired people.

During her stay she visited New College Worcester, which offers the most comprehensive range of GCSE and A Level subjects in the country for people with sight problems.

She also visited Dolphin Computer Access, a thriving business in Blackpole which develops specialist computer software for them.

The company has become a world leader in assistive technology and supplies items to 30 countries to help the blind, partially sighted and dyslexic.

Having both a UK-leading college and world-leading firm dedicated to assisting the visually impaired puts Worcester on a national pedestal.

Ms Green, an MP for Stretford and Urmston, said: "It’s very exciting to see so much innovative education and use of adaptive technologies and to meet so many creative and highly skilled individuals.

"Investing in special equipment and education and supporting specialist businesses enables disabled people to live independently, to work, learn and socialise."

She also said Government funding cuts to colleges and students is putting visually impaired people at extra risk.

Hazel Shaw, from Dolphin Computer Access, said the firm hoped the visit would "raise awareness of the access-to-work scheme and disabled students' allowance that benefit British jobs, exports and innovation in the digital world".

The access-to-work scheme is a Government grant that supports disabled people in finding work, staying in work or launching their own business.

Ms Green also toured the Sight Concern Worcestershire offices in Sansome Walk, talking to a range of disability groups which get support from the body.

Councillor Joy Squires, Worcester's Labour Parliamentary candidate, who organised her trip, said: "Sight loss affects thousands of people of all ages in Worcester.

"People are often left afraid, lonely and isolated once they start to lose their sight.

"Good support services are vital and can make a huge difference to day to day life for so many."

She added that she was worried about sight loss being a "hidden disability".