TWO statues in Blackburn will be blindfolded in a symbolic gesture this week to promote World Sight Day.

The Gladstone statue in Northgate and the mother and child statue outside the cathedral will both be blindfolded by Blackburn Lions in a bid to promote World Sight Day tomorrow.

The mother and child recently hit the headlines after vandals cut the child's arm off.

There are plans by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council to replace it.

Town centre manager Paul Isherwood said: "We are in contact with the artist who is getting quotes. A completion date is not yet fixed."

Blackburn Mayor Coun John Williams will also walk blindfolded around the town during World Sight Day to raise awareness.

Coun Williams will end his trip at the Lions tent in the cathedral grounds, where members will be handing out leaflets and advice.

The day, run by Lions Club International and the World Health Organisation, is aimed at raising funds to help fight the leading causes of preventable blindness in Britain and Ireland, glaucoma and diabetic eye disease. Both, if detected early through simple tests, can be treated successfully and the campaign aims to encourage more to have the tests.