Trowbridge mayor Nick Blakemore was blindfolded for a town tour where he could experience what life is like for people with sight loss.

Trowbridge Lions Club organised the walk in Fore Street on Saturday, to raise awareness of its campaign to help visually impaired people.

Cllr Blakemore was guided by town crier Trevor Heeks on his 45-minute journey, to support World Sight Day.

He had to withdraw money from a cash machine and buy a coffee.

John Greenaway, of Trow-bridge Lions, said: “The mayor found it very nerve-wracking, as he felt lost in almost every way.

“Everyday activities, which he took for granted, suddenly became a mountain to climb.”

Cllr Blakemore said: “It was a very disconcerting experience to have one of your senses taken away from you in that way.

“I could take the blindfold off at the end of it, but for many people that isn’t possible and it does just make you realise what people have to live with.”

The World Sight Day campaign is rooted in the international Lions Club’s history.

In 1925, American political activist Helen Keller, the first deafblind person to get a US university degree, asked the group to become champions for her cause.

A US Lion later invented the white stick used by blind people and the group has raised £230m.

Mr Greenaway added: “The mayor made his way through Fore Street, where he met Charles Harding who had sight when he was young, but has now almost complete sight loss.

“They went on to enjoy a cup of coffee together, but the mayor had trouble sorting out the notes when he was given a £5, a £10 and a £20 note and he had to rely on the honesty of the girl behind the counter.”

l Walwayne Court Primary School pupils Robert Maddox, Thomas Lloyd, Jiordan Burrel-Mendis and Joe Elliot raised £200 for the Royal National Institute of Blind People. They did a sponsored run around the Broadmead estate .