A COLNE-based charity is preparing to celebrate its 100th birthday and has written a book about its history.

The Colne and District Blind Society, founded in 1903, has spent the last century working to promote the interests of blind people and to give them opportunities they would otherwise miss.

The society has about 25 users, three of whom are in their 90s, and organises regular days out.

It also provides games and social facilities on Monday and Wednesday afternoon, with handicraft activities and specially-adapted playing cards and dominoes.

The charity, which has 25 volunteers who help out on a regular basis, needs to find £10,000 every year to cover its running costs.

Its history has been documented in a book called Just a Minute, based on the minutes from the society's committee meetings from the time it was founded.

Chairman Mildred Whiteman, who has been involved with the group for 15 years, said: "Over the years the aim of the charity has always stayed the same - to help blind people in the BB8 postcode area.

"The nature of our funding has changed a lot over the years. The charity was set up by mill owners' wives' money, and it has been funded by the council in the past. Now we have to raise all the money from donations.

"Many of the people who come here now are older. I think a lot of the younger people have other things for them, but it's still very important that we keep going.

"For a lot of the people who come here, it's the only time they get out. They can come by taxi and everything is designed for them.

"They are all very special people."

A centenary birthday cake will be cut at an autumn fair at the charity's home in Derby Street on Saturday from 1pm to 4pm.