A FORMER politician who rose his way up the political ladder and became Home Secretary visited the Royal National College of the Blind last weekend.

Lord David Blunkett, who has been blind since birth,visited the Mappa Mundi and Chained Library exhibition last Saturday morning.

This followed his appearance on BBC Radio 4 Any Questions programme broadcast from the college.

The former cabinet minister is now a member of the House of Lords.

The Mappa Mundi is a map that records how thirteenth-century scholars interpreted the world in spiritual as well as geographical terms.

Canon Chris Pullin, the Chancellor of Hereford Cathedral, welcomed David and his wife Margaret to the exhibition.

He said: "We were able to share with them a little of the history and sense of place, which was greatly enhanced by our 3D model of the map, which allowed David, as a blind person, to get a far greater sensation of it than through any description I could have given.

"Equally, having to think how I explained each of the treasures and various other parts of the exhibition to a visitor with no sight was a great experience for me.

"I am pleased to say that I think that the exhibition and I passed the test of being visitor friendly to those who are partially sighted or without any sight. It was a pleasure to welcome David and Margaret."