TWO sight loss charities teamed up to offer the blind and visually impaired a once in a lifetime driving experience.

Dorset Blind Association and Somerset Sight gave their members a ride to remember as they got behind the wheel as part of a special driving day.

Participants from the age of 21 to 90 hit top speeds of 85 mph at Henstridge Airfield in north Dorset where the runway became a race track for the day.

Driving school 2nd2NONE supplied their duel-controlled cars as well as driving instructors to take members around the track.

Dough from Scotland, who was visiting his son in Poole at the time, was the oldest participant.

Having been blind since the age of eight he has never had the opportunity to drive before.

He said: “They just need to let me know when it’s happening again and I’ll travel down from Stranraer to take part. It’s been the thrill of my life.”

Dorset Bind Association, which will be celebrating its centenary next year, work with blind and partially sighted people across the county to enable them to live the life they want.

Its work helps blind people maintain mental and physical wellbeing and reduce social isolation as well as helping those adjusting to living with sight loss.

The charity has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary service 2017.

A spokesman for Dorset Blind Association said: “This fantastic activity has given the charities’ members the opportunity to do something that some of them could only ever have dreamed to have done.”

To find out more about Dorset Blind Association call 01202 712865 or email info@dorsetblind.org.uk