CHRISTMAS was on the menu three weeks ago for Gareth Hughes.

Gareth, 12, who is totally blind, has hit on a nice little earner by making a Braille list of the festive fare on offer at a popular restaurant.

The menu at Smith's in Eccles changes regularly and Gareth was asked in November to prepare a Yuletide one for the visually impaired.

He has been producing alternative menus for three months and is paid £5 a time pocket money by restaurant manager Dave Hebden.

Gareth, the only blind pupil in mainstream secondary education in Salford, attends St George's High School in Walkden.

Dave said: ''We had started doing large print menus when a teacher from Gareth's school who was having a meal suggested we might also want to provide one in Braille.

''We are just trying to make our menu available to as many people as possible and were delighted with Gareth's work - he is regarded as one of the staff now.''

Gareth said: ''I love writing up the menus because they sound delicious and it makes me hungry. I get 10 per cent staff discount when I eat here.

''I'm learning French and German at school in Braille and there are a lot of French words on the menus.''

Janet Chung, of Salford Local Education Authority's support services, said: ''Gareth is a shining light. He is so enthusiastic about school it is a pleasure to be with him.

''Work is prepared ahead of lessons in Braille so that he can learn along with the rest of his class.''