A CHARITY for the blind is set to reopen at its home in Bank Street, Accrington, after a £90,000 refurbishment.

The work, on the ground floor at the Accrington & District Blind Society, has taken seven months to complete and has seen the "unsuitable" multi-leveled floor evened out.

There have also been improvements to the wiring and the boiler.

President Ken Hargreaves said: "It is a very old building and we have been trying to make the improvements for the last six years and I'm delighted that it has been done now."

The premises includes a shop and social centre and members of the society are available to offer advice on dealing with eyesight problems.

Susan Seymour, general secretary, said it had hoped to gain National Lottery funding for the project but after repeated failed attempts decided that it would have to find the cash itself.

She said that major fundraising is now going to take place to complete the work on the first floor, which is currently used for storage.

She said: "We would now like to develop the services that we offer towards things like information technology and the internet. There are a number of products that are being developed for people with visual impairments. It is something that will appeal to younger people, which will be a bonus.

"We are here to help and advise people with eyesight problems and that does not just mean older people in the community."

The society, which is more than 130 years old, was based across the road in Abbey Street while the renovations took place.

The re-opening takes place on Monday.