Henry Smith MP, a long standing supporter ofGuide Dogs, has backed a campaign (www.guidedogs.org.uk/campaigns) which highlights the potential danger that quiet electric and hybrid vehicles present to visually impaired people.

After collecting for Guide Dogs outside the Marks & Spencer store near Queen’s Square over the weekend, Henry headed for the Conservative Conference in Birmingham where he visiting the Guide Dogs campaign which featured a large Scalextric track, complete with Guide Stig dressed in a white racing suit and helmet, and having achieved a respectable lap time of 3.1 seconds.

Henry commented:

“Guide Dogs is a charity which is close to my heart and several times a year I’m pleased to help fundraise by collecting in Sainsbury's and Marks & Spencer stores in Crawley.

“It was important to me, therefore, to support Guide Dogs' laudable ‘Safe & Sound’ campaign because quiet vehicles pose a real danger to all pedestrians, especially those living with sight loss.

“I think Guide Dogs did a great job of raising awareness of a serious issue in a fun way and I will continue to be a vocal supporter on its behalf.”

Last month Guide Dogs released a report called ‘Silent But Deadly’, which examined the danger that quiet vehicles pose to blind and partially sighted pedestrians, who rely on hearing them approach in order to cross roads safely.

Guide Dogs believes that the risks will only increase as more quiet vehicles are sold, and so the charity wants these types of vehicle to be fitted with artificial engine noises so pedestrians can hear them approaching.