THE Crediton Talking News service is far more than just a talking newspaper, it is a comprehensive information package available free-of-charge to anyone with a visual impairment.

The Crediton Courier is recorded every week and in addition to all the published local news, it also includes news from the internet and other resources.

The Crediton Talking News is a bridge back into the community for people who are isolated due to visual impairment.

Clients receive the digital recording in the form of a memory stick and a play-back machine, a stand-alone speaker, the size of a small radio, which is provided to every listener free-of-charge.

The recordings are delivered free of all postal charges, in returnable plastic envelopes.

The weekly recordings also feature essential information and a variety of magazines such as Women’s Own, Women’s Weekly, Good Food, Gardening magazines and more, including weekly features from the Talking News Federation.

The service has been run by the Lions Club of Crediton for the past 11 years.

The chairman is Eric Parkes, with Peter Bryan the treasurer and Karen Todd, the secretary.

In addition, there are a team of volunteers from the community who read the articles on a rota basis and perform other tasks such as controlling the recording equipment.

The articles in the Crediton Courier are read by the volunteers every Thursday in Crediton.

Mr Parkes told the Courier: “We are really proud that the Lions Club of Crediton is able to offer this service.

“During all those 11 years of running it, we have only missed one weekly reading which was due to the ‘Beast of the East’ storm, we were just unable to do it.

“Currently we have a shortage of readers and would really like a few more people to join our volunteer team.

“If you feel you could read every few weeks, then please get in touch.

“We would also like someone to come forward who could help with the IT side, recording the readers, if anyone would be able to help.

“Of course, we would also like more clients, we currently have more than 40 but more would be welcomed.

“If you know someone who could benefit from the service, please get in touch.”

You can contact Eric Parkes on 01363 82878 or email: [email protected] .