TALKING newspapers are making a welcome return to North Ayrshire.

Blind and visually impaired people in the area used to be able to subscribe to the Cunninghame Cassette – a service provided by volunteers from the Round Table started in the late 70s.

However, the service had to be withdrawn in 2013 due to a lack of volunteers to transcribe and distribute the cassette leaving around 100 subscribers without their weekly programme.

But thanks to Ayrshire Recording Services for the Blind, the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald / Irvine Times can once again be heard using the latest technology.

This brings the Kilmarnock-based charity’s weekly output to five 90 minute newspaper programmes and a Sunday Church service – all produced by volunteers.

Project founder Jim Bircham said: “Being able to see the printed word is something a lot of us take for granted, however, for people with visual impairment this is not an option.

“By the age of 60, one in twelve of us will become blind or partially sighted, and this figure rises to one in six by the age of 75.

“Although they can listen to national radio news, for many it does not provide the information found in local newspapers."

Joan Muir, 70, from Kilwinning has been blind since birth and subscribed to the Cunninghame Cassette throughout its lifetime.

She is delighted a talking newspaper for North Ayrshire is making a comeback.

“I went online and listened to the pilot issue and it is very well done. I’m so glad to hear they are producing it again.

“I was very sad when the Cunninghame Cassette ended. I depended on it for local news. I’ve got friends but they forget you don’t know things.

“You got more information out of local newspapers on the cassette than you did from local radio.

Jim Bircham agreed: “We know that without local news you can feel a bit out of touch. People have a relationship with their local newspaper and it’s the same with talking newspapers – some users say it’s like a friend being delivered through the letterbox every week.” The service now uses latest technology with programmes provided in digital format on memory sticks – all transcribed by a team of volunteer readers in the ARSB studio.

Listeners can obtain free permanent loan of new audio equipment specially designed for the blind and can accommodate the USB memory sticks.

Because the admin records for Cunningham Cassette were incomplete, ARSB have been unable to identify about 50 per cent of their former service users.

They are encouraging all former users or their care supporters to contact either North Ayrshire Sensory Impairment team on 01294 476148 or by telephoning ARSB directly.

For information on the service and to register online go to ayrshire-rsb.org.uk or call 01563 530880 or email studio@ayrshire-rsb.org.uk.

Anyone unable to read conventional newsprint is eligible to receive the programmes.

As a registered charity the project is unfunded by either central or local government and relies on personal donations.

Currently it hopes to raise the £800 needed to replace an ageing computer system – an upgrade needed to meet increased production and processing demands of the new North Ayrshire programmes.

If you would like to donate to the project go to gofundme.com/ayrshire-rsb.