TOWN centre traders who unwittingly put barriers in the way of the blind and visually impaired are being urged to be more considerate.

The call comes after the Bury Blind Society staged a walk highlighting some of the obstacles faced by their members as well as wheelchair users while shopping on The Rock and elsewhere in the town centre.

The Mayor of Bury, Councillor Jack Walton, joined the walk as did local authority deputy council leader Coun Mike Connolly.

Councillor Yvonne Wright, chairman of Bury Blind Society, said the intention was to highlight street hazards faced by the visually impaired. "We've already staged two such walks this year. The highways department has been helpful by speaking to some businesses and sending them letters," she said. "They tend to comply with their wishes, but after a while the objects come out again.

"We are not saying that traders should remove things like boards and stock which act as barriers to the blind. Instead, they should place them right up to their windows and not all over the place.

"All we are saying is that these people should be more considerate and take more responsibility. Also, they could be in trouble if someone fell over something."

Coun Connolly, who for a time wore special glasses to simulate visual impairment, said: "I felt very vulnerable. I had a guide with me and was told I could remove the spectacles if anything happened. But I didn't want to do that. It was certainly a frightening experience."

He acknowledged that the blind do face problems while out walking and said that a list of points to be addressed in relation to these was being drawn up.

Coun Connolly continued: "As far as the shopkeepers are concerned, once the difficulties were pointed out to them, they were very understanding.

"There are a lot of little things they can do to improve the situation which don't involve money. I think the walk helped increase people's understanding and awareness of the difficulties the visually impaired undergo each day."

Colin Nichol, manager of the Mill Gate centre who was also joined the walk, said: "The overall well-being of our shoppers is very important to me."

Ms Jacqui Armstrong, team manager of Bury Council's sensory impairment team, was also among the delegation.

She said: "If traders would like to have a similar experience, so they can better understand the obstacles that some of their businesses are causing, then we'd more than happy to supply the simulated spectacles."