Bolton's Mayor was greeted with a warm welcome during a recent visit to a longstanding charity.

Cllr Andrew Morgan, mingled with over 27 visually impaired individuals (VIPs), volunteers and staff at Henshaw's sensory centre in Thicketford Road.

For over a decade, Henshaws Lunch Club has been a hub for people living with sight loss, offering shared experiences, hot meals and laughter.

Cllr Morgan said: "The Mayoress and I had a great time attending the Luncheon Club at Henshaw’s in Bolton last Wednesday.

"It was wonderful to see first-hand the support that this charity provides to individuals with sight-loss and a range of other disabilities."

Group lead volunteer Alison, who has dedicated 16 years of her time to help the organisation, said: "We were delighted that The Mayor came to visit and think the visit went very well.

"The members were absolutely thrilled to see him with one member being overwhelmed by the reunion having worked with him in the care industry previously."

Henshaws, one of the oldest philanthropic UK organisations, marked its 185th year in 2022.

It aims to improve life quality for people with sight loss and other disabilities across Greater Manchester and Yorkshire.

Justine, Henshaw’s enablement services manager, said: "It was a real pleasure today to meet the new Mayor and Mayoress of Bolton who immersed themselves into our lunch club today chatting with Henshaw’s Staff, Volunteers and of course our VIPs.

"They were very interested in learning about the range of support we provide for people living with sight loss in Bolton."

Henshaws representatives are welcoming enquiries from visually impaired individuals in Bolton about potential group involvement.

For more information about Henshaws and their community support work, visit their website.