A MAN believed to be the UK's only blind DJ returned to a Hereford college to deliver a motivational talk.

Pervez Hussain was a guest speaker at the Royal National College for the Blind's (RNC) latest achievement awards.

Mr Hussain left the Venns Lane college 26 years ago and went on to work for West Mercia Police as a telephonist and recruitment administrator, a position which saw him memorise hundreds of extension numbers.

The 46-year-old, who is still based in Hereford, is now a blind motivational speaker as well as a DJ and he used this skill to help inspire current students at the Hereford college.

He said it was he was delighted to return to the popular venue.

"I was so honoured to go back," he said.

"The college has changed a lot. It was very different. The feel of it was very different.

"It felt much more academic but I knew the fundamentals are still exactly the same."

Among the awards given out during the evening was the Guy Campbell Award for the person who has made the most progress in their personal development, which went to Keighley student Johannes Bergman.

Mr Hussain lost his sight aged 23 and took up DJ-ing a short while later.

He said he thinks the students welcomed his talk.

"I don't have any notes and I don't read braille," he said.

"It's just off the top of my head.

"But people mirror you and when you're up there, they think 'how could I do that'? And that's the inspiring part."

Mr Hussain offered one-to-one coaching to students afterwards.

"I had about nine or ten people come up to me," he said.

"I told them that here, people understand you.

"But when you leave this situation, some people can face rejections for jobs.

"You have got to be tough. You have got to have the edge on someone who can see."

Mr Hussain hit the headlines three years ago when he was honoured for his 23 years' service with West Mercia Police by being given an outstanding contribution award.

He also continues to DJ from memory under the Hurricane Roadshow banner, performing at weddings and other events.