A BLIND woman's skill at skittles has bowled over fellow members of a support group for people with serious sight problems.

Jean Young, of Norfolk Close, Clayton-le-Moors, is now known as Gelignite Jean at the St Michael and St John's Social Centre, Clitheroe, where she plays.

But it was only two years ago that the mum of five grown-up children finally came to terms with the blindness that struck, aged 40, after a short illness.

Jean had never bowled in her life until she joined the Ribble Valley Blind and Partially Sighted Group and put her success down to forming a mental image of the skittles.

The group acquired a set of skittles and bowling mat from the Clitheroe Mayor's Fund and Blackburn brewers Daniel Thwaites Charity Fund.

Now Jean, 47, who is totally blind, is taking the local skittles scene by storm with her quick-fire bang-on-target bowling.

Chairman Ken Maidens said: "We just line her up on the mat and away she goes. It's the sheer power of the woman. She bowls faster than any man I've ever come across.

"We're going to start throwing out challenges to other skittles groups, because we believe Jean is unbeatable and we're very proud of her."

But things were not always so rosy when Jean was told she had only a few months of sight left after a routine visit to the opticians.

"I was in shock after I went blind and didn't go out for five years. I found it hard to come to terms with losing my sight and felt there was nothing left to live for.

"Slowly but surely I came to realise there is a world out there and I wanted to live life to the full. My family rallied round and I also have a carer, which means I can get out and about and try all kinds of things.

"It's certainly been tough, but my husband Steven and the children have all been very supportive. I just had to get on and make the best of it."

And she iscertainly making the best of her bowling. Jean has to hit nine skittles strategically placed in three rows of three on a special mat 30 feet away.

She said: "I form a mental image of the skittles, concentrate and aim hard. I'm having great fun and am more active now than I was before I lost my sight."

Faith Mall, communications officer at the Royal National Institute for the Blind, said: "Ten-pin bowling is a major participation sport for blind and partially sighted people. We applaud Jean's success, as we actively promote and campaign for greater access to leisure opportunities for blind and partially sighted people."