A CELEBRATION event was held to mark a merger to provide more support for visually impaired people in Bolton.

Bolton Mayor Cllr Lynda Byrne along with other dignitaries including Warren Smith the Lord Lieutenant of Manchester, Edith Conn the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Manchester attended the celebrations at Cloisters, Bolton, to mark the merger of Henshaws and Bolton Society for Blind People (BSBP).

The staff and volunteers of Bolton Society for Blind People, previously known as Bolton Social Centre for the Blind, have worked since the 1940s to enable and support blind adults in Bolton.

The merger with Henshaws is said to ensure that the society's work can continue along with the added provision of support for children living with sight loss or a visual impairment in the Bolton area.

David Hulton, BSBP Chairman said: 2I am delighted that through the merger with Henshaws, we will be able to continue our vital support to the visually impaired adults of Bolton."

Henshaws Director of Community Services Robert Cooper said: "We are delighted to be given this exciting opportunity to merge with such a great organisation. Both charities are focussed on ensuring that people of all ages living with sight loss make informed choices about their future.

"Bolton Council is very supportive of the merger and we are delighted to say that the current charity coordinator Justine Watson will continue in her post when she returns from maternity leave.

"In addition, we are currently advertising to fill a new post of ‘Community Enablement Officer for Bolton’ who will support to deliver services."