A gutsy teenager born without sight is urging other blind people to live their life to the fullest.

Angus Dixon, 14, takes pride in his independence and hopes others will "just go for it" if there's something they want to do.

Angus fills his own days with meaningful activities. As well as attending youth clubs and swimming lessons, he also enjoys singing, drama and music.

The teen, from Ormiston, East Lothian, has even joined his school's brass band as a trumpet player after taking up the instrument six years ago.

He told STV of his incredible talent: "If I'm doing any kind of piece, especially Christmas carols or songs on trumpet, I can learn any piece from memory."

The Ross High School pupil feels "like a normal person".

He said: "I really enjoy it at Ross High, I feel quite at home. I've got a lot of friends as well."

At school he uses a BrailleNote Touch to take notes and at home he's a whizz on his iPhone, iPad and laptop thanks to the 'voiceover' setting.

Angus said: "It's totally fine. I just live through life."

The one thing Angus would like to do, but sadly can't, is play video games.

He said: "I wish I could do that. Unfortunately that's one thing I can't do."

The teen would also like to play football and rugby with his friends, but added: "The one thing I'm not too sure about is getting a ball hit in my face - especially when you're blind you can't even see that coming.

"But if I could see, I'd definitely be playing out there."

Angus, who volunteers at East Coast FM through his school, is also handy with a screwdriver, drill and sander thanks to training from his dad and granddad.

He noted: "I've got my class peers, I've got close friends, I've got my mum, I've got my dad, I've got my grandparents, I've got aunts and uncles, grannies and granddads, so I've got loads of people to just help me through my life."

Today, the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is celebrating its 150th anniversary.

Over 170,000 people are living in Scotland with significant sight loss, and two million across the UK - a figure warned to double by 2050 due to the ageing population and the increase in sight-threatening conditions such as diabetes.

Unfazed, Angus believes those facing a hard time will overcome any difficulties.

He added: "For some people life is difficult, for others life is easy - they'll get through it. But if there's something you want to do...just go for it.

"You'll get there eventually and scientists are doing things to improve eyesight on blind people.

"And as soon as this operation or drug that can do it comes out, maybe I might have some of my sight back and I would really like that to happen."