A local authority has expanded a trial which supports blind and partially-sighted Surrey residents to travel independently.

Surrey County Council has been piloting the Aira app which allows people to call a trained visual interpreter who can guide them between the bus stop and nearby railway stations.

The trial is already being offered at bus stations in Guildford, Staines, Redhill and Woking. The council said it was now available for residents in Caterham, Dorking, Oxted, Leatherhead, Epsom Station and Clocktower, Reigate and Horley.

Matt Furniss, the council's lead for highways, transport and economic growth, said: "We've expanded this trial to cover more bus stops and rail interchanges to create better and joined-up journeys for people who are visually impaired."

Carl Martin, accessibility lead at Govia Thameslink Railway, said he was "pleased" to see the expansion of Aira. "Many of our stations interlink with local bus routes and this development means passengers can travel with greater confidence between rail and bus services, knowing accessible, real-time support is available."

Clare Burgess, chief executive for charity Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey, said travelling alone when you have a sensory impairment could be a "daunting prospect".

"But having the Aira Explorer App makes independent travel so much easier and less stressful," she said.

The council said all app usage at the available locations would be free of charge.