THE St Helens Coalition of Disabled People's Befriending Scheme has expanded its services to help visually impaired people to learn to touch read.

Volunteer Peter Waring, who is visually impaired, is committed to helping people who have lost their sight to be able to enjoy the written word.

The coalition will be working closely with Geoff Ward from the VIP Resource and Rehabilition Centre and management and staff at Windle Pilkington House Day Centre, to promote and develop the service.

Thanks to a grant from The Henby Charitable Trust, the organisation has been able to buy braille writers, a CCTV reader and writer and work manuals to help with the scheme.

Classes for the visually impaired are held on Wednesday between 11am and 1pm at Windle Pilkington House, King Street. For people who are interested in learning touch reading but are unable to get to the classes alternative arrangements can be made.

For further details, contact Anne Statter on 01744 633379, or Geoff Ward on 01744 613616.