A HOTEL has become the first business in Wyre Forest to take part in a scheme to help visually impaired customers.

Stone Manor Hotel, near Kidderminster, has produced versions of its menu in large print and braille as part of a new Awareness Support initiative.

General Manager John Davies said his executive chef Mike Wilkie suggested the move after hearing of the scheme, which started in Worcester 12 months ago and is spreading across the county. Stone Manor General Manager John Davies is ready to offer a new service to visually impaired customers in his restaurant.

"We change our menus three times a year and it's not very expensive to provide this extra service," Mr Davies said. "We do what we can to help in these areas and we're looking at other ways to enhance the hotel for anyone who is impaired. Hopefully, other firms will join in."

Over 2,000 people in Wyre Forest have difficulties with sight and the scheme's organisers say signing up can also help firms meet some of the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.

Andrea Steele of Awareness Support has already had backing from McDonalds, Beatties and the Tourist Information Centre in Worcester and is also aiming to expand into Birmingham.