A FATHER who was concerned that his deteriorating sight loss would mean he would never see his daughter in a wedding dress had his dream come true thanks to a Blandford bridal boutique.

Abigail Pryor approached Kayleigh Jones at Exclusively Yours Bridal Boutique, found on Salisbury Street, with a seemingly rather odd request at first – to try on wedding dresses despite not being engaged.

Abigail explained that due to her father’s deteriorating sight loss, she wanted to make both their dreams come true and arrange to try on wedding dresses so her father Graham could see her in white before his sight deteriorated further.

Graham’s condition is retinitis pigmentosa – a genetic disease that causes the cells in the retina to break down over time, which leads to vision loss.

Kayleigh at Exclusively Yours Bridal Boutique offered for Abigail and her father to come in and try on dresses free of charge.

This prompted Abigail to send in the story to ITV’s This Morning as part of their piece about World Kindness Day, which took place on Wednesday (November 13), where viewers called in to highlight acts of kindness in their community.

“I was surprised This Morning featured it as they had so many call ins – but hopefully this means Kayleigh’s lovely shop will get more exposure,” Abigail said.

Ms Pryor’s father Graham said the act had restored his faith in humanity Picture: Abigail Pryor

“My dad was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa when he was 19 and he’s been told there is no cure and laser eye surgery won’t work.

“I’ve always been worried in the back of my head that he wouldn’t be able to see me get married or in a dress, but as his condition got worse over the past four years I thought I should try and make it a reality – despite me not being engaged!

“I initially thought that no one would give me the time of day as it wouldn’t lead to a sale, but I asked Kayleigh and she was more than happy to oblige – but she refused to take any money.

“My dad was so shocked when he saw me in the dress. When we spoke to Kayleigh afterwards he became really emotional as he thanked her and said it had restored his faith in humanity.

“I did warn my partner that this was happening as I think he might have thought I was a bit insane, but he was completely understanding!”

Kayleigh said when she saw that her shop had featured on This Morning, she couldn’t believe it.

“I had no idea she sent this in to This Morning, she just sent me the clip of it on Wednesday,” she said.

“I cried when I saw it. I was just so overwhelmed.

Ms Pryor said she loved one of the dresses she tried on at the shop and is keeping that one a secret Picture: Abigail Pryor

“I had a very close relationship to my dad, so I’d like to think someone would show the same kindness to me if I was in that situation.”

In a letter to the show, read out by Alison Hammond, Abigail said: “My father is gradually going blind and he is always worried that he will never get to see me in a wedding dress because of his deteriorating sight.

“However, a lovely lady in our community who we’ve never met before called Kayleigh, owns a bridal shop and she went out of her way to make my dad’s dream come true before it was too late.

“She let us come into the store and I tried on wedding dresses for him to see. Now he can always have that lovely memory.”