A demonstration against Ashford's controversial shared space scheme will be staged in the town on Saturday.

The National Federation of the Blind will mount the protest as part of Pavement Day.

Blind people will be meeting in Ashford, where pavements have been removed to create a shared space with the idea that moving traffic and pedestrians mix together.

Ashford's new shared space concept is being introduced in many towns and cities throughout the UK.

But the Federation says that the idea of pedestrians and drivers relying on making eye contact with each other is impossible for blind people.

The demonstration will take place between midday and 2pm in Bank Street, Ashford.

A Federation spokesman said: "We will be able to show how dangerous these shared streets are for blind and partially sighted people.

"The Federation has campaigned for 30 years to have pavements cleared of clutter and obstacles, but now, for us to have to campaign to have a safe place to walk is quite outrageous.

"In these shared streets, even pedestrian crossings are removed, so how can pedestrians move around safely in this dangerous environment?"

Members of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Royal National Institute of Blind People, Living without Sight Ltd and residents of Ashford will join the protest.

See next week's Kentish Express for the full story.