A 160-year-old charity employing blind and disabled workers could see as a boost in employment following a visit from a minister.

Clarity in Jubilee Avenue, Highams Park, is one of the UK's longest-running social enterprises and has been employing, training and supporting people with disabilities since 1854.

Factory staff were given a special visit yesterday (September 14) when minister for civil society, MP Rob Wilson dropped by and watched first-hand the production of a new luxury soap range, The Soap Co.

The Reading East MP sat down with Clarity's chief executive Jeremy Robinson, and Peter Holbrook, the CEO of Social Enterprise UK, to discuss future expansion projects, including the possibility to stocking its luxury soap products in the Houses of Parliament.

As part of the government's manifesto pledge to halve the employment gap for those with and without disabilities, Mr Wilson has promised to try and increase the number social enterprises that the government purchase from.

Mr Robinson, said: "If we manage to supply our new range into the Houses of Parliament, this will give us a massive boost in terms of profile.

"All sales of our products translate into job creation so anything that helps one thing directly helps the other."

A total of 70 out of 80 people employed at the Highams Park factory, are disabled.

The range of handmade products include black poppy & wild fig, citrus, and white tea bar soaps, hand washes and lotions.