A blind man is urging commuters to give up their seats to disabled people when travelling on the London Underground.

Transport for London (TfL) has launched a new campaign urging people to look out for those struggling to stand on the busy Tube.

Priority Seating Week aims to make it easier for people with a range of visible and invisible conditions who struggle to stand on public transport.

Amit Patel has had bad experiences travelling through London, to launch the week-long campaign.

The 37-year-old lost his sight five years ago and now travels everywhere with his guide dog, Kika.

He often travels through London at peak-times - including with his toddler son strapped to his chest.

Last week, he had a particularly bad example when not a single person offered him their seat during rush hour.

He said: “Not one person thought ‘that man needs to sit down’.

“I think a lot of people just think that people next to them will just move. The one problem I have is I can’t even make eye contact with people to let them know I need a seat.

“But some people think, ‘why does he need to sit down?’”

Mr Patel has recorded an announcement, that will be heard in Tube stations, asking passengers to offer their seat if asked to do so.

He said he is really pleased to see TfL proactively raising awareness about priority seating: “Travelling with a disability, whether hidden or not can be challenging, scary and sometimes even disorienting.

"Not everyone has the confidence to ask for a seat and not everyone will always be wearing a badge either.”

Mr Patel said one problem he has it that people do notice he has a disability unless they seeKika.

"If you looked at me and didn’t see the dog you would not think I was blind," he added.

Priority Seating Week will feature posters of customers which include pregnant women and people with visible and non-visible impairments talking about the difference a seat makes to them.

Signs are also being displayed on selected London Underground and Overground trains with the aim of encouraging everyone to think about other commuters who many have a greater need.

Mr Patel says the good thing about Priority Seating week is that it get’s people talking about the issue of giving up your seat for someone in need.

He added: “I hope that through this campaign people broaden their horizons and think about other people.”

He hopes other Londoners take notice of his advice.

“If you can give up your seat do because it makes such a difference," he said.

"It can make a journey from hell into a comfortable journey. It’s such a simple thing but makes such a big impact on people’s lives.”