He produces beautiful items out of wood and feels the joy of a job well done.

Eastern Daily Press: Pens made by Attleborough blind wood turner, Ian Banstead. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYPens made by Attleborough blind wood turner, Ian Banstead. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

But Attleborough wood turner Ian Banstead is a craftsman with one incredible difference: he cannot see what he is doing.

The 53-year-old, who has been wood turning for the past 10 years, said: 'I have always used my hands. One of my grandfathers was a painter/decorator, and the other was a coach builder who later went into carpentry, so it runs in the family.

'I do it every day. It keeps my mind occupied.'

And now Mr Banstead wants to share his passion with others by taking part in two open-studio weekends where visitors will be able to see for themselves how he creates everything from clocks to bowls and pens.

Eastern Daily Press: A lamp made by Attleborough blind wood turner, Ian Banstead. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYA lamp made by Attleborough blind wood turner, Ian Banstead. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Mr Banstead said: 'I want to show people that there's life after losing your sight.

'There's not enough done to promote what disabled people can actually do, let alone visually impaired people.

'I also want people to see how I do it - when I take my wooden products to fairs, they often don't believe I could have made them.

'They think I've brought them in.'

Eastern Daily Press: Some of the items Attleborough blind wood turner, Ian Banstead, has made. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYSome of the items Attleborough blind wood turner, Ian Banstead, has made. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Mr Banstead was a qualified electrician before he lost his sight in 2002.

He suffers macular degeneration, which means he can see no detail of what is in front of him, but has retained some peripheral vision.

He learned to work with wood firstly at a course in Torquay run by the Royal Institute of the Blind, and then from Dick Waller, a wood tuner who ran Street Forge Workshops near Eye in Suffolk.

Mr Waller also modified equipment so Mr Banstead could work safely with wood in his own workshop.

Eastern Daily Press: A calculator surround made by Attleborough blind wood turner, Ian Banstead. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYA calculator surround made by Attleborough blind wood turner, Ian Banstead. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

He has no plans to stop wood turning, and is now aiming to create a range of slim-line pens with sports-themed clips.

Mr Banstead said he planned to donate proceeds from a breast-cancer awareness pen to a cancer support charity.

He said he was also hoping to find a volunteer who could take him to craft fairs and exhibitions, in exchange for petrol money.

For more information, visit Mr Banstead's site at www.turnaroundgifts.co.uk.

Eastern Daily Press: Attleborough blind wood turner, Ian Banstead, with some of the items he has made. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYAttleborough blind wood turner, Ian Banstead, with some of the items he has made. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

To organise a visit to his Fairfield Drive workshop during the open days on May 28-29 and June 10-11, call him on 01953 451068.

Eastern Daily Press: A bowl made by Attleborough blind wood turner, Ian Banstead. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYA bowl made by Attleborough blind wood turner, Ian Banstead. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Attleborough blind wood turner, Ian Banstead, with his guide dog, Eric. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYAttleborough blind wood turner, Ian Banstead, with his guide dog, Eric. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Attleborough blind wood turner, Ian Banstead, with his guide dog, Eric. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYAttleborough blind wood turner, Ian Banstead, with his guide dog, Eric. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: One of the small clock surrounds that Attleborough blind wood turner, Ian Banstead, has made. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYOne of the small clock surrounds that Attleborough blind wood turner, Ian Banstead, has made. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Attleborough blind wood turner, Ian Banstead, at work on his lathe in his workshop. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYAttleborough blind wood turner, Ian Banstead, at work on his lathe in his workshop. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Attleborough blind wood turner, Ian Banstead, at work on his lathe in his workshop. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYAttleborough blind wood turner, Ian Banstead, at work on his lathe in his workshop. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Blind Ian Banstead makes a pen on his lathe with special guides for the chisel. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYBlind Ian Banstead makes a pen on his lathe with special guides for the chisel. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Attleborough blind wood turner, Ian Banstead, in his workshop. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYAttleborough blind wood turner, Ian Banstead, in his workshop. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Attleborough blind wood turner, Ian Banstead, sets up his lathe in his workshop. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYAttleborough blind wood turner, Ian Banstead, sets up his lathe in his workshop. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)