LOCAL members of the Royal National Institute for the Blind have raised their last pounds for the charity.

The Prestwich, Whitefield and Radcliffe RNIB Appeals Group wound-up their operation last week after 17 years during which they raised £48, 981.

Founded in 1984, the group steadily raised cash by collecting outside supermarkets, holding garden parties, fashion shows and coffee mornings.

But as members have aged the numbers have dwindled and with the majority of the six current members all in their 70s and 80s the group has decided to call it a day. Secretary Doreen Hall, whose husband John was a founder member of the local group, said: "Our eldest members are in their 80s and we just can't get out and about to raise funds as much as we once could.

"I want to thank everyone who has helped collect the £48,000 but we are also faced with the problem of trying to persuade supermarkets to let us in these days."

Doreen (75) said most of the events organised by the group had taken place at her and John's home and garden in Bland Road, Prestwich.

She added: "We only started with around eight members and at our height had around 12 but we have had a successful run.

"Last year we raised more than £3,000 and around the same the year before that. We have kept a good average but things have got beyond us."

The group announced its total amount raised at its final annual general meeting which was followed by a party for past and present members.