'Anyone who is visually impaired can achieve just as much as their sighted counterparts with the right support.'

That was the message visually impaired teenager Tiri Hughes took the House of Lords when she talked about her achievements and the opportunities available to blind people.

Tiri was invited to the Palace of Westminster last week for an audience with guests of Lord Trefgarne, Lord Low and charity Action for Blind People. Addressing employers and commissioners, the 14-year-old Ivybridge Community College pupil was one of two speakers to showcase services for visually impaired teenagers and young adults, highlighting what can be achieved with the right support and training.

Tiri has several eye conditions including double elevator palsy and nystagmus and is registered partially sighted. She is unable to read normal size print and has very limited distance vision.

However, this has not stopped her becoming the Torbay disabled sports personality of the year, having won several medals in national disability competitions in gymnastics and swimming.

For more on this story, see this week's Ivybridge & South Brent Gazette