Blind protesters planning march

The services offered by the centre are being moved to Taunton

Blind and partially-sighted protesters will assemble in London this week for what organisers describe as Britain's first blind march.

They will demonstrate against the Royal National Institute for the Blind's (RNIB) decision to close its Manor House rehabilitation centre in Torquay.

March organiser Eddie Bush, 51, from Teignmouth, said blind people were "not prepared to stay in the dark".

The Manor House has provided expertise and care since it opened in 1941.

Falling numbers

The marchers will include blind and partially-sighted people from across the country, some of whom have never visited the capital.

They will assemble at Euston Station on Wednesday morning before proceeding to the RNIB's headquarters in Judd Street.

The closure-threatened centre in Devon offers unique care for people coming to terms with sight loss, said Mr Bush, who is himself partially-sighted.

In a statement, the RNIB said the "difficult" decision to close Manor House reflected falling numbers of service users.

Some of the Manor House's services are being relocated to Taunton.