THE Mayor is branching out into landscape gardening to back a campaign to keep the borough's streets clear for blind and partially sighted people.

Councillor John Hilton is supporting The Guide Dog for the Blind Association's appeal to homeowners to cut their hedges as part of their 'Don't Be An April Fool' campaign, which aims to make life easier for blind and partially sighted people by helping keep outdoor obstacles to a minimum.

A national survey carried out by the charity revealed that 95 per cent of guide dog owners find overgrown hedges and low branches to be the major obstacles they face when walking down the street. Although such vegetation may not affect the dog, it can be hazardous to the owner and can cause potentially serious injuries.

Cllr Hilton spent Monday morning trimming hedges in Newton Road, Lowton and hopes other residents will take a leaf out of his book.

He said: "This is an easy way in which we can all make a real difference to safety on our streets for guide dog owners and other visually impaired people in our community. It's a quick spring clean for the area and I hope everyone who can join in will do so."

Other obstacles identified in the survey include cars parked on the pavement, wheelie bins, shop furniture such as A-boards, chewing gum, glass and badly maintained pavements.

The campaign aims to encourage town and city planners, retailers, owners of bars and restaurants and members of the public to think about the needs of blind and partially people when planning pedestrian zones, trading or simply walking around the streets.

Fund-raising manager at the Guide Dogs' Bolton branch, Peter Emmett said: "This campaign is an absolute must. I've walked blindfolded with a guide dog and it's not until you do it that you realise how difficult it can be. A blocked pavement to a blind people is like a sighted person getting to a river and finding the bridge is down -- they just can't continue."

Anita Cooper, of Loweswater Avenue in Tyldesley, relies on her five-year-old golden retriever, Gatsby, to get around and comes across numerous obstacles on a daily basis.

She said: "The biggest problem I face is cars parked on the pavements and there is no room to get past. I have to go into the road and round the car, which is dangerous. My dog, Gatsby, always keeps me safe, but hazards like this cause him extra unnecessary stress. Wheelie bins are another hazard, if only the binmen would push them back a bit. But at least I know this is only one day a week so I can expect it."

Anita, aged 61, is fully in favour of the campaign: "Most of the problems are caused by inconsideration of the general public. It isn't just about blind people, mums with prams face the same difficulties getting around. Pavements are for people and should stay that way. Most people have cars and so don't come across the obstacles we face -- they just need to think."