THE Chorley Citizen reaches millions of people worldwide thanks to the Internet, yet it doesn't touch the blind community in our home town.

With this thought I headed for the Preston and North Lancashire Blind Welfare Society to get your favourite free weekly read out and recorded on Talking Newspapers.

Society director Peter Taylor said: "A quarter of people over the age of 80 cannot read newsprint.

"The service reaches people all over Lancashire, and residents who move away request copies to keep up with local events. Our furthest one goes to Southampton.

"We aim to cover every local newspaper to give blind people the same choice as everyone else."

Volunteer Don Pybon from Clayton-le-Woods has worked with Talking Newspapers for three-and-a-half years. He said: "Volunteers form great friendships with each other and the listeners who get to know our characters. We often comment or laugh about some stories we read out.

"When I told listeners I had been given a flight in a Tiger Moth as a birthday present, lots of them asked me to tell them all about it on the next tape.

"It's so rewarding doing something so useful and helpful for someone else."

Feedback from the listeners include: "It's like having a friend round", "It's something to look forward to" and "It's so nice to know the news."

After stumbling my way through the first story, I relaxed and found the words flowed easier. The mistakes I made were quickly corrected, just as if I was having a conversation with someone."

If you can help with putting the Chorley Citizen on tape or are interested in receiving copies, telephone the Society at Howick House, Penwortham on (01772) 744148.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.