A BRAILLE map for blind visitors to Burnley town centre may be in place by next spring.

The Burnley and District Society for the Blind and Partially Sighted are appealing for sponsors towards the cost and have been promised help from the Mayor of Burnley's charity fund.

Chairman, Irene Cooney, a former Burnley councillor and county councillor, went to the town hall to tell the Mayor, Coun Peter Swainston, of similar touch maps for the blind in the centre of Bruges, Glasgow and Plymouth.

Mrs Cooney explained: "The idea is to give blind and partially sighted people an insight into where individual shops and public buildings in the town are.'' Individuals in the planning department are helping to put together a project in their own time and letters have gone to town centre businesses asking for sponsorship.

Mrs Cooney said: "Unfortunately, the response so far has not been too good, but perhaps more help will come in time. The Glasgow scheme cost £17,000, but we are looking at something more reasonably priced.

"Our hope is that we can site the map near to the fountain in St James Street because the blind can hear the running water - although the water is turned off at the moment because of the drought restrictions.

"We hope it will be in place by Easter next year while the present Mayor is still in office.''

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