A blind farmer uses his 'hands as eyes' to carry out all day-to-day tasks - including using chainsaws and axes.

Mike Duxbury, 54, lost his vision at the age of six due to glaucoma, and believes he is the only farmer with his disability in the UK.

Mike grew up on a farm in Worcester and attended Warwick agricultural college in 1986 to study to become an animal nutritionist.

Despite his blindness, Mike manages to do all the tasks involved in running a successful farm.

He uses chainsaws, axes to split wood, drills and drives a converted golf buggy as a pick up truck.

He uses simple tricks such as laying some wire a few feet away from a gate, so he can feel when he's close with his feet.

Despite all his challenges, Mike has gone on to create Inclusivity Farm, near Flitwick, Bedfordshire - a working farm where students can come and learn farming skills, irrespective of their needs.

The farm, which is home to 32 pigs, 30 chickens, six sheep, five ducks and four geese, was designed and built entirely by Mike and his partner Nessie last year.

They produce sausages for local shops, pubs and restaurants, and sell up to 200 eggs a week to locals.

South West Farmer: HARD WORK: Mike Duxbury, 54, lost his vision at the age of six due to glaucoma.HARD WORK: Mike Duxbury, 54, lost his vision at the age of six due to glaucoma. (Image: SWNS)

The farm now also welcomes 15 students a week, as well as allowing visitors to see how it's run and has had enquiries from all over the world.

Despite applying for over 500 jobs, Mike said he failed to receive a single interview, so he decided to take matters into his own hands.

He said: "When I went to college, they didn't know what they were doing, and neither did I, but we figured it out together and I'm really grateful for that opportunity.

"A lot of people are left behind in the farming industry, injured farmers don't get support, and a lot of young people who want to go into farming don't get the opportunities - so I decided to do it myself.

"My journey has been a big learning curve, but I've worked with some amazing people, and I've learnt how to do things slightly differently that work for me.

"At the end of the day, the animals need to be watered and fed, sheep need to be sheered, so I just got on with it and found a way to do that."