FOR most blind or partially-sighted people, getting behind the wheel of a car may seem an impossible dream. But every year, for the past decade, Lancashire-based Galloways Society for the Blind has made that dream come true for hundreds of visually-impaired people across the UK. Assistant News Editor MICHELLE FIDDLER gets in the driving seat. . .

RACING down a mile-long runway doing speeds in excess of 80mph may seem like a driving dream.

But how about if you were blind?

For 30 minutes I was put in the driving seat to experience one of the most difficult challenges a visually-impaired person can face.

I joined more than 100 blind and visually-impaired people from across Lancashire who took part in a specialist driving event organised by Galloways, in conjunction with driver training experts, BSM and BAE Systems in Samlesbury.

The event, now in its 11th year, offers an opportunity for blind and partially-sighted people to experience driving a car in a safe environment.

Each person can take the wheel in a dual-controlled car, accompanied by an instructor, and drive along the airstrip at the BAE site in Samlesbury, ride pillion on a motorbike with Blackburn Motorbike Club, or be a passenger in a police patrol car or fire engine.

Despite passing my driving test 12 years ago, I still felt like a learner driver on my very first driving lesson.

But when I confessed my nerves to driving instructor Darren Moss, he said the one thing guaranteed to put me at ease: "Phyllis is 92 and she got up to 70mph."

Phyllis, I was told, had confidently driven the car -- she steered, accelerated, and braked, and Darren changed the gears -- just moments before me, despite never having driven and being totally blind.

The experience is nerve-racking and takes a huge degree of faith between you and the instructor.

You never quite get over the feeling you are going to collide with something, or run off the road -- but with the wind blowing through the window as you begin to accelerate -- it is remarkable how quickly you get used to it.

We did two lengths of the runway -- accelerating to a top speed of 80mph -- and managed to complete the course with only a few steering adjustments, courtesy of Darren.

My feelings were echoed by Bob Dysart, chairman of Blackburn with Darwen Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Bob, 50, from Livesey, has been blind from birth. He said: "It is a great feeling to have a go at it, although you still worry about what is in front of you.

"It is a great experience. I even managed to get up to 70mph."

Jim Bartley, 49, from Burnley, and a member of Burnley Visual Impaired Group, lost his sight through glaucoma.

He said: "I did have some sight when I was younger, but lost it again in my 30s.

"I have been behind a wheel before and this time I got up to 80mph.

"I also went on a bike and got up to 120mph. It felt great."

Peter Taylor, from Galloways Society for the Blind, said: "We are very proud that the event has gone from strength to strength, year on year.

"We have received hundreds of letters from members expressing their gratitude for providing such a priceless and memorable experience.

"What's really gratifying is that we have stayed true to everything we set out to achieve 11 years ago which was to provide a unique experience, be it for members who may have once learnt to drive and lost their sight later in life, or for those blind from birth who may never have got a chance to get behind the wheel."