Visually impaired people seeking work are to benefit from the launch of a new initiative.

During an event at the Marriott Hotel in Liverpool next week, national campaign Hire Vision will be unveiled during an official ceremony.

The work of the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Liverpool City Council, Social Firms UK and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), the project aims to support greater numbers of blind and partially sighted people into work.

According to figures cited by the REC, only 33 per cent of such people currently have jobs.

Hire Vision will work with employers to increase their awareness of the potential people with sight loss can offer as workers.

It will also attempt to create more jobs and a range of opportunities for such people.

A membership organisation, the RNIB aims to empower blind and partially sighted people and to remove the barriers they face.