BLIND youngsters in Blackburn will be feeling happy thanks to a new room at the Blackburn and District Blind Society.

The society has teamed up with the local Princes Trust team to install a special new 'sensory room' for blind babies and toddlers, which was officially opened on Wednesday.

The room is specially designed to give babies the chance to develop their senses, and help them react to what they can see.

Mike Mulcahy, chief executive of the Blind society, said: "Only six per cent of blind people have no sight at all.

"Lights and colours stimulate them, so the room is filled with light and colours, and tactile toys.

"This is something that has been wanted for years. It's being opened in the memory of Peter Holderness, a former chairman.

"He really liked helping children, and it's going to be called 'Peter's Room' in his memory."

The new room was given an official seal of approval by Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen John Williams, who opened the facility with Peter's widow, Mavis Holderness, and toddler Caleb Wolstenholme.

Nasreen Akhtar, volunteer with the Princes Trust, said: "It is not just good for blind babies either.

"Disabled children, and children outside the blind society will be able to use it too. There was a real need for it.

"The nearest one otherwise is Rishton."

To contact the Blind Society call 01254 54143.