LIONS Clubs in West Devon marked World Sight Day with events in the north and south of the borough last Saturday.

Members and friends from Okehampton and District Lions Club staged a 'walk into the uknown' in the parishes of Folly Gate and Inwardleigh, when they were blindfolded guided along a five-mile pub walk. The event was followed by a cream tea at the Crossways Inn, courtesy of John and Wendy Williams.

In Tavistock, similar 'walks into the unknown' were made in Bedford Square, when volunteers donned special glasses to simulate blindness, and were led around the square by Nicky Watson and her guide dog.

The Tavistock Lions were joined by representatives from the RNIB, Plymouth and West Devon Talking Newspaper, the Macular Disease Society and Specsavers, who carried out basic eye tests on the square.

Both clubs have been collecting unwanted spectacles, which are recycled and sent to third world countries.

The event highlighted the work that the Lions carry out worldwide in helping to prevent blindness.

John Noblet, who organised the Tavistock event, said he was delighted with the support shown by residents and visitors to the town, and reminded everyone that a collection point for unwanted spectacles is provided in Tavistock Library.