TALKING Newspapers welcomed a new voice to their group as Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan spent an afternoon with them to provide sound clips for the visually impaired.

The group distribute free recordings of the Gazette and Herald newspaper to more than 60 people in the local area who are not able to read copies of the paper.

Ms Donelan said: “It was a pleasure to work with the Talking Newspaper team and help them record last week’s edition of the Gazette and Herald.

“Talking Newspapers offer a hugely valuable service, recording local and national news for the blind and partially sighted.

“I spent a couple of hours recording a wide range of local news stories, including my weekly column. It was great fun and I would encourage anyone who is interested in supporting them to get in touch.”

Recordings are taken on Thursday mornings at a studio in The Cause on London Road, with 38 volunteers giving up their time to read and record the clips which take around two hours each.

Memory sticks are sent out via free post and returned in the same way to residents in both private and community accommodation.

Gwyn Rees, who has been volunteering with his wife Margaret for six years, said: “Michelle was able to give us two hours of her valuable time to join John Allen and Margaret Rees reading and recording the news and articles.

“It was quite poignant that she was able to read her own article where she related her own horrendous experience in the House of Commons on the day of the Westminster terror attack.”

Anyone interested in receiving a memory stick should contact Mr Rees on 01249 659305.