A Calne woman whose husband suffers from a disease which causes blindness has organised a tea party for charity.

Denis Courtney, 82, contracted macular disease eight years ago and wife Ella has been helping raise funds for the Macular Disease Society ever since.

On Saturday Mrs Court-ney, 71, along with friend Elisabeth Finlay, 86, is holding a tea and coffee morning at Marden House.

Mrs Courtney said: “Me and Elisabeth meet at St Mary’s sports centre every morning and this is very much her idea.

“She has been cooking furiously over the last few weeks.

“In 2010 a group of us did various different types of marathons at the sports centre and raised about £2,000 and we have done a few other things over the years.

“We are hoping to raise as much as we possibly can from this for the Macular Disease Society.”

Macular disease is one of the major causes of blindness and vision impairment in adults over 50.

Mrs Courtney said: “It is a really nasty disease. Denis has lost the centre of his vision, so if he looked at you, your face would be a grey blob. He cannot read or write any more and he doesn’t use the computer any more.

“He can walk around but has to be very careful. A few years ago he would have been classed as blind but these days he is said to be severely visually impaired.

“It is often likened to wearing a pair of goggles and having Vaseline smeared over the lenses. He can still see a little in his peripheral vision.

“It is awfully frustrating but Denis is very stubborn and tries to get on with things.

“He says the worst thing about it is not being able to read a book. He can listen to plenty of books but there is nothing like the feeling of a proper book in your hands.”

The tea and coffee morning takes place between 10am and noon at Marden House on Saturday. There will also be a raffle and games, and home-made produce for sale.