By JULIE FREER THE lifts have come "alive" in Bolton town hall ... with the sound of talking. Shocked visitors to the council's offices have been been taken aback when they have stepped into the lifts.

Instead of standing in silence, the lifts have started "talking" to them.

It is part of a new scheme to help disabled people find their way around council buildings.

A Dalek-like voice warns people with sight problems that the doors are shutting and opening.

A new tape is soon to be installed which will tell them which floor they are on and which offices are there.

It has cost £6,000 for the device to be fitted but it is part of a £120,000 scheme to boost facilities for the disabled

Also included are more ramps to ease access into buildings, an extension of the "shopmobility" scheme to make it easier for the disabled to shop.

A town hall spokesman said: "It is part of an overall scheme to help the disabled and to give re-assurance to people using the lifts."

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