Talking newspaper honoured by Tower

The landmark will become the ultimate ‘white stick’ when it is lit up in white, including the heart on the front of the structure, on June 8.

Blackpool’s Talking Newspaper, which is recorded by volunteers at N-Vision, the Blackpool Fylde and Wyre Society for the Blind, was launched in 1977.

The actual birthday clashes with the General Election - with the society’s base at Sharples Hall on Bosworth Place being used as a polling station - so the main celebrations will be held on June 29 and 30.

Judith Harrison, community services manager for N-Vision, said: “Flexibility is one of our key words here and it’s probably as well. We weren’t expecting a General Election to steal our thunder on June 8 but Blackpool Tower will offer some light relief from all the politics.

“As birthday candles go it takes some beating but the fact it’s effectively turning into a giant ‘white stick’ is a lovely gesture for our clients and the fantastic volunteers who run the Talking Newspaper.

“There are lots of ways to get news today but the Talking Newspaper enables subscribers to hear all about it, rather than read all about it – and it means they don’t miss out on The Gazette and local weeklies and other news, including the society’s own updates.”

The Talking Newspaper has 320 subscribers in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre.