THE Worcestershire Association for the Blind has called on the Government not to hide from the issue of giving blind people the same level of financial support as wheelchair users.

Blind people only receive £17 per week whereas wheelchair users can get £45 per week.

As a result, a new survey commissioned by the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) has revealed 90 per cent of the general public agree blind people should receive the same disability living allowance.

The survey follows a lobby of Parliament in December when 1,200 blind and partially-sighted people marched on the House Of Commons calling for a change to the allowance.

Since then, RNIB has secured support from 248 MPs from all parties who signed an early day motion.

RNIB now expects the Government to respond to this issue in the near future.

Jenny Gage, chief officer for Worcestershire Association For The Blind, said: "In addition to the strength of our lobby and the support we have secured from 248 MPs, we now also have an overwhelming 90 per cent of the general public agreeing with us on this issue.

"The Government's own calculations estimate the cost to change the rules would at most be only £61 million, so money shouldn't be an issue.

"Let's not forget that all we are asking for is for blind people to receive the same right to claim this benefit as other disabled people.

"We trust the Government takes all of this into account. It would be unimaginable for them to walk away from this issue."