A WOMAN from Weaverham took part in a charity drive on a racetrack in Wigan - despite being registered blind.

Brenda Kearsley braved the experience of racing around the Three Sisters track with a small group of drivers from across the region in a bid to raise funds for the training of guide dogs.

She was among a number of drivers who were registered blind with varying degrees of sight, while the 'sighted' drivers who took part were blindfolded for the event.

Brenda had not driven a car for 23 years but for some of the participants, the event was the first time they have ever driven a car.

Each driver had an instructor in the passenger seat to call out directions, such as accelerate, change gear, turn right or turn left.

Most drivers were behind the wheel of a standard driving school car, with dual controls, but some were in bright yellow 'hot hatches', which were meant to be driven faster than the others.

By the time her turn was over, she had steadily built up her speed to a point where she was overtaking the 'hot hatches' on the same track three times.

And it was thanks to the brave efforts of Brenda and her cohorts that in excess of £5,000 was raised for Guide Dogs for the Blind on the day.

jsawyer@guardiangrp.co.uk