A NEW lobby group for the Fylde coast has been set up to help disabled and blind people get more involved with sports and leisure pursuits.

The Disability Leisure Forum was formed following the success of the disability leisure sports club which meets every Saturday morning at Stanley Park, and is made up of volunteers from various sectors of the community.

It is led by Fred Barnes, sports development officer for Blackpool Borough Council, and he explained the group aims to provide advice and guidance regarding leisure services and opportunities, as well as access to them at a local level.

Chairman of the forum is Jim Bithell, who is partially sighted and also a national bowls champion. He said the group aimed to encourage and enable people to get more involved.

"Many disabled people are unable to take up outside interests and activities because they are unable to access them. By promoting good practice in the provision and accessibility of leisure amenities for all disabled people all aspects of life will be enhanced," he said. Vice chairman Stephanie Syson is blind, but she still pursues interests such as abseiling, driving, cycling, rowing and rock-climbing.

"In the past many people with disabilities have struggled through red tape and bureaucracy to participate in sport and leisure activities" she said.

"The forum leaders have had first hand experience of all these frustrations and of overcoming them and we are well qualified to pursue the aim of facilitating and rendering leisure accessible to all."

Stephanie also stressed the forum is keen to hear the views of disabled people in the community and said councils, leisure centres, clubs and libraries are welcome to get involved. For more information contact the forum at the disability link offices on (01253) 310117.