A health campaigner is riding around the county to encourage thousands of people to check if they suffer from debilitating eye conditions.

Thousands of people in Oxfordshire suffer from eye problems without seeking medical help, according to Oxfordshire Association for the Blind director Colin Cure.

The sponsored 150-mile cycle ride will see Mr Cure, 46, travel between the county's 15 support groups in towns such as Didcot and Henley.

He said: "My aim is to raise awareness of these groups and the great job they do. It's important they get the support that allows them to thrive."

Latest figures show that 3,700 people in Oxfordshire are registered blind or visually impaired, but Mr Cure believed the number affected might be nearer 10,000.

"The problem is that many people, particularly the elderly, believe that deteriorating eyesight is a natural product of ageing but often this is not the case," he said.

Common eye conditions that can be overlooked include macular degeneration, which results in difficulty seeing fine detail, and glaucoma, the symptoms of which are difficult to spot.

Mr Cure said: "Being unable to see details affects every aspect of a person's life. With glaucoma, by the time people realise they have it, it's too late for effective treatment. This is why having your eyes tested is so important."

On June 20, Mr Cure will set off from his home in Risinghurst, Oxford, and his first stop will be the Thame and District Society. He is hoping to raise about £2,000 during the three-day journey.

An experienced cyclist, Mr Cure has been training hard for the trip on the slopes of the Peak District and hopes his efforts will highlight the county's services for the blind.

He said: "We are always on the lookout for more volunteers, especially in Banbury. If you can spare some time to help people regain some independence, please do."

You can learn more about Mr Cure's journey or sponsor him at www.help.co.uk/oabcycle or www.oxeyes.co.uk