Raoul Moat victim David Rathband hopes for 'sight'

The policeman from Staffordshire who was blinded by gunman Raoul Moat is hoping that pioneering equipment will enable him to "see" using his tongue.

David Rathband has been selected to be trained for a new type of therapy which involves using electrodes on his tongue that will affect his eyesight.

The 43-year-old has already been granted a conditional place by researchers but now needs to generate £16,000 in order to take part in the trial. The new device involves technology developed in the United States.

Mr Rathband, formerly from Wildwood, near Stafford, was shot in the face and shoulder from point-blank range as he sat in his marked police car just outside Newcastle in July last year. He lost his sight instantly and was fitted with prosthetic eyes.

The father-of-two said: "Anything is better than nothing. It keeps me going as a bit of hope, but I'm careful not to put all my eggs in that basket."