A college in North Yorkshire was today awarded more than £150,000 to teach new skills to the visually impaired.

Henshaw's Society for the Blind, in Harrogate, received the grant from the New Opportunities Fund, which handles Lottery cash.

The money will give blind people the chance to learn information and communications technology skills that may not have been available when they were at school. The project will provide classes and tutor support in the town.

Jane Cole, principal of Henshaw's College, said: "This award of £153,973 from the New Opportunities Fund will enable a whole generation of learners to use information technology.

"They will be able to learn at their own pace and I have no doubt the whole experience will make a fundamental difference to their lives."

Ms Cole said that while Henshaw's was a residential college, the project would enable them to extend their work into the community and reach people who had not had the opportunity to learn new skills.

Stephen Dunmore, the fund's chief executive, said that everyone should have a chance to get to grips with information and communications technology.