HUNDREDS of visually impaired people will benefit from a £219,000 Government grant.

An open day will be held from 1pm to 4pm on Saturday at St James's Park, Newcastle, to celebrate the funding, which will provide a children and family service run by local charity Henshaws Society for Blind People.

There are 135 children and 5,578 adults registered blind or partially sighted in the region.

The new service will include family outings and events, a toy and tape library and a parents' support group and forum.