A blind man is calling for Blaenau Gwent council to save an "essential" centre for visually-impaired people.

As reported in the Argus yesterday the Vision Foundation Resource Centre, in Ebbw Vale, is to close on September 30 because of a lack of funding.

It opened in 1998 and provides classes and services for visually-impaired and blind people from across south-east Wales.

Keith Jones, 42, from Garnlydan, has been using the centre for the past five years.

He has been blind since the age of three when his eyes were removed because he was suffering from retinal blastomas.

Keith thinks the loss of the centre will be a devastating blow. He said: "The council must have some money they can use to keep it open, even temporarily.

"The services it offers are essential to anyone who loses their sight. Many people will be lost without it."

Mr Jones said without the centre his life would be very different. He said: "When I first went to the centre I was very depressed and thought I didn't have a future. I signed up for computer classes, learnt new skills and made friends. It transformed my life.

"I can't imagine life without my computer. I use it to work and to keep in contact with friends and family.

"I even met my Nigerian fiance through the internet and I will be heading to Africa to get married next month."

As well as computer classes the centre provides braille lessons, training in independent living and mobility and a nursery for visually-impaired children with a light stimulation room and sensory garden.

Mr Jones went to a school for the blind in Bridgend, so he reads braille. But he said people who lose their sight in later years would be lost without the classes offered by the centre.

Ebbw Vale councillor, John Rogers said: "It is very regrettable that the centre is closing.

"They have done much excellent work over the years. I will be looking into the issues."

A Blaenau Gwen council spokesman said: "This year the foundation received a grant from the council of £9,000 through the Voluntary Sector Scheme.

"They are one of the organisations that we have continuously supported over the years, out of the considerable number of applications we receive applying for grants through the Voluntary Sector Scheme.

"The council has not been approached by the charity for extra funding."