A WINTERBOURNE couple who act as co-ordinators for a charity fighting blindness have helped launch an appeal for used stamps.

Ron and Gina Pritchard work to make more people in South Gloucestershire aware of the disease retinitis pigmentosa, which is known as RP and leads to loss of vision and blindness.

The organisation RP Fighting Blindness also raises money for vital research aimed at finding a treatment or cure for the 25,000 people in the UK alone who are affected by the condition.

The appeal involves supporters tearing off stamps from letters and sending them to the charity via the Pritchards so they can be sold on to stamp dealers.

Anyone who wants to get involved should tear off the corner of envelopes bearing the stamp rather than peeling or steaming them off and send them to 22 Huckford Road, Winterbourne, Bristol, BS36 1EA.

The couple also give talks to local groups about RP. Any organisation that would like to hear more about the disease should phone 01454 772927.