AN MP has experienced what it is like to be visually impaired by taking part in a blindfolded challenge.

Nigel Huddleston, MP for Mid Worcestershire, walked the busy streets of Droitwich with trainee support dog in from the charity

Guide Dogs

, which trains animals.

He said: “Walking around blindfolded with Nushka was a very memorable experience.

“It gave me greater appreciation for the challenges faced by people with sight loss and, in particular, the need to remove pavement clutter and avoid pavement parking which can cause inconvenience or injury to people with sight impairment.

“I also now appreciate the huge amount of investment and training required for a guide dog to do their job to such an incredibly high standard.”

During his walk, Nigel Huddleston MP experienced the obstacles and challenges people with sight loss face every day as they walk around our town centres.

He had to navigate around poorly parked cars blocking the pavement and wheelie bins.

Eleanor Stephens, Guide Dogs engagement officer, said: “We’re extremely grateful to Nigel Huddleston MP for taking part in this event and we hope he found the experience useful in understanding how difficult it can be to get around if you are visually impaired.”

Guide Dogs is campaigning for clearer high streets and a standardised law on pavement parking, which ensures that parking on the pavement is only allowed in specifically designated areas.

Each dog takes around two years to train to working level and costs more than £50,000.

The walk in Droitwich took place on May 17.

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