A BLIND physiotherapist who had a long and successful career has died at the age of 84.

Charles Williamson, a father-of-four, worked for almost 40 years in Darlington, initially in the physiotherapy department at Darlington Memorial Hospital and then at his private practice in Flora Avenue, off Coniscliffe Road.

Born on December 30, 1918, Mr Williamson served with the Scots Guards during the Second World War and was blinded on active service in Italy in 1944.

After his injury he was cared for by St Dunstan's, a charity that looks after the welfare of, and retrains servicemen and women who have been disabled while serving in the armed forces.

Mr Williamson's son, Ian, said: "My father was initially trained to be a telephonist and worked in the City of London, but with the advent of automated exchanges he was retrained to be a physiotherapist.

"After qualifying he moved from London to Darlington in 1958 and worked at the Memorial Hospital until 1967."

Mr Williamson then set up his own private practice from his family home in Flora Avenue, where he lived with his wife Jane, and his children. He relied on sensitive hands and adapted equipment to treat his patients.

His son said: "His work was his life and he continued until he suffered a minor stroke in 1995.

He then moved to Warrington, to be nearer to his immediate family."

Despite his disability, Mr Williamson was a keen walker, racing for the Surrey Walking Club in the 1950s and continuing to walk in Darlington in the evenings until he suffered his stroke.

He was a life member of the New Club and enjoyed playing cards and dominoes.

"He never allowed his disability to stop him enjoying life to the full," said his son.

Mr Williamson leaves his wife, Jane, three sons and a daughter.

His funeral will take place in Warrington on Monday.