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A lack of employment opportunities for young blind people is endangering their independence, a charity has said.

A record one million 16 to 24-year-olds are currently unemployed in the UK.

Charity Action for Blind People said those with disabilities were proportionally more likely to be jobless than other young people.

Cormack McCarthy, operations manager at the charity was speaking to pupils at New College in Worcester, investigating the issue as part of ´óÏó´«Ã½ School Report.

The residential college teaches 11 to 19-year-olds who are blind or partially sighted.

Mr McCarthy said: "One of the main things at the centre of our work is independence and independent living.

"One of the best, if not the best way to gain that independence is through employment."

The charity is part of the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) group.

Last week Remploy, which provides employment for people with a range of disabilities, announced plans to close 36 of its 54 factories.

Funded by government the organisation said many of its factories, which manufacture goods such as packaging and furniture, were making a loss.