The Ripley and Heanor News has been celebrating the 20th anniversary of the organisation which brings the week’s local news to the blind and partially sighted.

And it was one of the paper’s former editors who played a key part.

Mark Strange was chairman at the launch of the Amber Valley Talking Newspaper Association.

Volunteers meet twice a week to commit the latest events to tape before sending them out to local people.

Membership of the scheme has increased from around 40 in 1980 to 220 today, who all benefit from the free service.

As well as the recordings, the volunteers also raise funds to supply cassette players to people who need them, equipment to make duplicate tapes, and all the money that’s needed for upkeep and repairs.

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