SHOPPERS have been transported into the future as part of a drive to stop them going blind.

The Mall, Blackburn, played host to the Royal National Institute of Blind People's (RNIB) Open Your Eyes tour in a bid to get more people in the borough to look after their eyes.

The charity wants to end preventable blindness by 2020 by encouraging people to lead a healthier lifestyle and regularly attend checkups.

According to the RNIB 200,000 people in the north west are at risk of needlessly loosing their sight from condition such as glaucoma.

Shoppers at the event yesterday could have their picture taken and answer a number of questions about their lifestyle including whether they smoked, ate five portions of fruit and veg a day and whether they exercised.

The findings were then inputted into a computer to generate a visual prediction of how they would look when they were 70.

Sawar Kahn, campaigns manager for RNIB said: "A lot of people do not know that something like smoking is very bad for their eyesight.

"What we are saying is this is what you may look like and we are empowering people to change.

"You may not see the results straight away but you will in years to come.

"The most important message is to go for regular eye tests.

"If you had a car you would get a MOT to make sure it was working."

The event, which continues today is particularly aimed at people from Asian, African and African-Caribbean backgrounds.

The RNIB said these people are three to five times more likely than white people to get diabetes which often results in the sight condition diabetic retinopathy - the leading cause of sight loss in people of working age.

The findings of the event shocked people who took part.

Derick Gill, 44 of Sussex Drive, Blackburn said he tried to swim and cycle once a week.

He said: "I used to smoke about 30 a week but I gave up two years ago and I am going to try and eat more healthily now."

Jodie Worthington, 21, an office temp of Lakeland Gardens, Chorley, said: "I have not got the healthiest of diets.

"I an a non-smoker but my parents smoke so I am a passive smoker. I am going to have to eat more fruit and veg."

Warren Heart, 22, of Glenfield Close, Blackburn, who works at BB's cafe, The Mall, said he did not have eye tests despite being short sighted.

"I smoke about 10 cigs a day but walk everywhere because I don't have a car. I'm going to give up smoking now."

Non-smoker Zaheda Kazi, 22, of London Road, Blackburn, works at Clinton's Cards and goes to gym twice a week.

She said: "I do not want to grow older.

"I wear glasses so it is important to get my eyes tested but I am now going to try and eat more healthily."

Sherry Broadhurst, 17, a shop assistant of Glenfield Place, Blackburn said: "I smoke, drink about once a month and eat junk food.

"I did not know it would affect your eyes so I think this is a really good idea."

Sisters Margaret Preston and Emily Hartley, 78 and 79, said both used to smoke for over 20 years.

The couple who used to work as weavers said working 48 hour weeks meant it was hard for them to lead healthy lifestyles.

Mrs Preston, 79, who lived in Blackamoor until she emigrated to Australia six years ago said: "My dad used to have a vegetable plot and we used to eat a lot of veg.

"But I wish I had led a healthier life and had not smoked."