The Middlesex Association for the Blind (MAB) celebrated its 85th birthday with a visit from His Royal Highness, The Duke of Gloucester, last week.

More than 120 guests, including Mayor of Barnet Councillor Eva Greenspan, attended the event at the association's head office in South Harrow.

Set up in 1922 to cover the old geographical county of Middlesex, MAB has helped thousands of people and now operates in nine London boroughs, providing home visits, support and advice, IT training, Braille courses and more to people who can become isolated from mainstream society.

His Royal Highness ended the visit by saying: "Association is a long word, but it means coming together to share expertise and problems. I congratulate it for all that it has done and wish it the best of luck for the future."

To find out more about MAB call 08458 380 480 or visit www.aftb.org.uk