A BLIND and deaf Redditch man who left school with no qualifications has defied his disability by beginning his second computer course at college.

Kevin Richardson, of Winyates West, recently gained a distinction and a recognised qualification in computer skills at NEW College in Redditch.

And the 33-year-old factory worker has now gone on to try to get some more qualifications under his belt.

His proud wife Lisa said: "He was only registered blind in 1999 but has been registered deaf since birth. He really struggled at school and moved about a lot.

"And he ended up leaving with no qualifications.

"But this year he decided to take himself off to NEW College to complete a computer course and learn to touch type, which he can now do really well. He actually does the course in the evening as well as his full time job."

Mr Richardson hopes to use his new found computer skills to fall back on if his sight deteriorates so much that he could no longer carry out physical work at the factory.

Mrs Richardson, of Insetton Close, said: "I think there must be a lot of people in Redditch with similar problems."

She added: "I want them to see what Kevin has achieved and to realise that they could do the same if they wanted to."