TOP talkers who help visually impaired people keep in touch with all their Telegraph news are looking for volunteers. 

The team behind Inverclyde's Talking Newspaper are calling out for new recruits for the lifeline service.

They need people to get involved in a whole range of activities. 

Volunteers should be able to dedicate two hours of their time one Thursday every six weeks for the recording sessions which take place at the Fitzgerald Centre. 

Talking Newspaper's chair Margaret Hanley says the team are keen to welcome people of all ages to the group. 

She said: "A lot of our current volunteers are getting a wee bit older and they're reaching the age where they may not be able to come along. 

"Our volunteers have all been with us for a long time and do an amazing job. 

"This is a very important resource for people.

"We would love to hear from men and women of all ages who want to get involved."

The idea for Inverclyde's Talking Newspaper came from police officer Robert McCorkell, who first presented his vision for the resource to the Greenock Telegraph team back in November 1978. 

A trial tape was produced and hand-delivered to 12 visually impaired people by Robert in January 1979, before the first proper edition was issued on April 12, 1979. 

In 2024, the team behind the Talking Newspaper comprises six teams of eight readers, with an editor and technician on each team. 

The editors review the news in Telegraphs published from Friday to Thursday and select stories which together form around 25 pages of content each week. 

Senior editor Myra Potter said: "We try to incorporate a good mix of stories and subject matter. 

"We have new listeners signing up all the time, so we need to keep in mind what our listeners will like. 

"We'll have a good mix of good news stories, information on things like roadworks and events, and even some sport."

Every Thursday, recordists capture all of the stories being read out, and the original recording is copied for all of the listeners on a Friday evening. 

Tapes and USB sticks are then distributed on a Saturday. 

Margaret says Inverclyde's Talking Newspaper has always had good support from the local community, and she's hopeful that people will be up for volunteering. 

She added: "So many other types of talking newspaper have folded in communities over the years but we are still going strong. 

"It's such a great thing for people as it helps them to stay connected with everything that's happening in their community."

To find out more contact Margaret on 01475 729037.