Chippenham Freemasons have donated £400 to help visually impaired people keep up to date with what’s going on in their area.

Freemasons from the Vale of Avon Lodge raised £800 for charity while on a weekend in Torquay with their partners.

It was split between Dorothy House Hospice and Chippenham & District Talking Newspapers, a service used by more than 80 people living in Chippenham, Calne, Corsham, Malmesbury and Melksham.

Ian Dunbar, whose son Dean is registered blind, was delighted to hand over the money.

He said: “Dean started to go blind at the age of 11, so this charity is particularly close to my heart.

“These people do such good work recording weekly local newspapers for those who have sight impairment. Without them their listeners would have great difficulty keeping in touch with their local community.”

Gwyn Rees of Chippenham & District Talking Newspapers said: “We will be using the money to go digital and make the service even easier, instead of using the cassettes and cassette players that we have used up to now.

“In order for this to happen, we need to invest in new recording equipment and to provide new players for the listeners.”

Anyone who is sight impaired and would like to receive the service can call Gwyn on 01249 659305 or Frances on 01249 657129.