A VISUALLY impaired teenager from Ivybridge has become a national calendar star.

Tiri Hughes, from Bittaford, appears in Action for Blind People's 2014 calendar.

The 15-year-old Ivybridge Community College student features alongside one of the calendar's themes – 'Action taking the cause to the heart of Westminster'.

Tiri has spoken at a high profile reception at the House of Lords about her aspirations and the challenges she faces.

In the calendar, Tiri said: 'Action for Blind People's services have made a big difference to my life.

'To have the opportunity to share my experience at the House of Lords is amazing.'

Tiri has several eye conditions, including double elevator palsy and nystagmus, and is registered as partially sighted.

Action has helped her in many areas including technology and educational support transition services and confidence building.

She is also a member of the charity's local Actionnaires club. The clubs are organised for blind or partially sighted youngsters and are designed to boost confidence through a range of sporting and social activities.

Tiri said: 'Action for Blind People's services have made a big difference to my life.

'I love going to the Actionnaires sporting activities every month; a residential trip they organised last summer was one of the best things I have ever done.'

Over the past 12 months Action have benefited around 27,000 people with sight loss.