A talking newspaper for the blind has been given a new home – thanks to The Northern Echo.

The charity, which serves Darlington and surrounding villages, records its news at a council-run arts centre in Darlington but will have to move because of new legislation.

After a desperate search for new premises, The Northern Echo, published by Newsquest North-East, offered the charity a home in its Priestgate offices.

A custom-built studio is being prepared in the old press hall area of the building with an administrative office also being provided.

Peter Barron, editor of The Northern Echo said: “The Echo is very committed to its role in the community and we believe that this is an ideal opportunity to bring an important community organisation into the fold.

“We have been Darlington’s newspaper since 1870 and it is wonderful that we have been able to help a newspaper which gives the visually impaired access to the news – it is a perfect marriage.”

The talking newspaper was set up in Darlington in 1979 and has 40 volunteers who record items of news and information from The Northern Echo, Advertiser series and Darlington and Stockton Times.

Under the new legislation, coming into force in 2004, all community groups must be accessible to the disabled, and because the talking newspaper is on the fourth floor of the arts centre it will have to move.

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