It really was a case of the “blind leading the blind” when Hampstead and Kilburn’s Tory hopeful Simon Marcus took to the streets with special glasses to simulate being visually impaired.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Simon will be being fitted with glasses to make him visually impaired at the request of the RNIB. He will be walking with the RNIB campaigns officer, Richard Holmes who has a new report on issues facing blind and visually impaired people on our high streets. Simon will be joined by Grace Hope. Grace lives in Acol Road and is registered blindSimon will be being fitted with glasses to make him visually impaired at the request of the RNIB. He will be walking with the RNIB campaigns officer, Richard Holmes who has a new report on issues facing blind and visually impaired people on our high streets. Simon will be joined by Grace Hope. Grace lives in Acol Road and is registered blind (Image: � Nigel Sutton email pictures@nigelsuttonphotography.com)

Mr Marcus was accompanied on his walkabout on Kilburn High Road by constituent Grace Hope, from nearby Acol Road, who is registered blind and Royal National Institue for the Blinds’s London officer Richard Holmes, who is also partially sighted.

Mr Marcus experienced firsthand some of the obstacles and challenges faced by the blind in their everyday lives from street furniture, uneven pavements and bad street design.

Mr Holmes said: “It was the blind leading the blind at first as he found it very hard and we were going very slowly. I had to give him lots of guidance.”

Mr Marcus said: “I was truly shocked by how difficult it was.”

Tulip Siddiq, Mr Marcus’ Labour rival, will take part in an identical walkabout on Friday.