YOUNG drivers with sight problems put their foot down at a special driving day.

Dorset Blind Association recently teamed up with Somerset Sight and 2nd2none Driving School to offer members a chance to get behind the wheel at Henstridge Airfield in North Dorset.

Leah Cross, a home support co-ordinator for Dorset Blind Association, said: “Driving is the one thing that my younger members tell me they would love to do.

“Many either never get a chance to apply for a licence or have it taken away from them when they start to experience visual problems.”

With instructors James Orgar and Eric Johnson providing tuition in their dual control cars, Leah says the young drivers were ‘exhilarated’ and plans to run more sessions in the future.

Driver Evie Klamar said: “I am on cloud nine.

“It is now my dream to be a driver one day.”

Russell Parsons added: “It’s an experience I never thought I would have. It was exhilarating, like a fairground ride.”

Adrian Reigate added: “It’s weird, I felt so alive. It gave me a feeling of normality.”

Steve Bailey was thrilled: “It was heart wrenching and emotional, but I thoroughly enjoyed it,” he said.

For more information contact Leah Cross on 07789 997620.

DORSET Blind Association helps up to 1,000 blind or partially sighted people each month, but receives no regular government funding for this and relies heavily on donations, grants and legaciesn To help DBA call 01202 712869 or visit www.dorsetblind.org.uk or send a donation to 17 Bournemouth Road, Lower Parkstone, Poole , BH14 0EF.