A blind lawyer has set up her own practice in Manchester.

Karen Sproston, 31, of Didsbury, was a partner at city centre firm Mendelsons before branching out on her own.

She is a personal injury accident specialist and is operating on a no-win, no-fee basis.

In addition, Karen will make a donation to the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association for every successful claim she handles.

"I'm doing it as a thank you to the association," she said. "A major reason I have got to where I am is through having a guide dog.

Difference

"It's made a massive difference to my confidence, and enables me to get about. I can travel all over the country to meet clients."

Karen's guide dog Beacon - a four-year-old golden retriever - accompanies her to work at her new offices in Adamson House, Towers Park, Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, and joins her on trips to clients and to court.

Runcorn-born Karen, who obtained her law degree at the University of Central Lancashire, has previously worked at Redmonds, in Broadbottom.

She has nine years experience as a solicitor and is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.

Sprostons Solicitors specialises in claims arising from road and workplace accidents, slips and trips.

Karen, who uses Braille, speech-based software and has assistance from a reader, said: "I'm striving to ensure victims receive 100 per cent of any compensation they are awarded, rather than a portion of their damages being taken by accident management companies."