USERS of the talking newspaper come from all backgrounds but are united by a desire to keep up with local news and other issues affecting them.

They include 87-year-old Leonie Porter, from Swindon, whose sight has been poor for most of her life.

She said: "I have been a listener from the beginning before that I mainly listened to the radio news.

"It is great because you get news from the Evening Advertiser on one side and general features on the other and it keeps people in touch with what is going on."

Jannace O'Donnell, 59, of Bradenstoke, near Swindon, is registered blind after losing her sight from the complications of diabetes.

She said: "I have been taking the newspaper for about four years.

"It keeps me in touch with everything going on in Swindon, which is important to me as I now live outside the town."

The newspaper's Thought For The Day section is presented by 71-year-old Grace McShane, a former missionary, who is originally from Glasgow.

She lost her sight after developing a medical condition while she was working in Cyprus and was unable to reach specialist help in time.

As well as being a presenter she is an avid listener and is also currently hoping to find a publisher for her autobiography .

She said: "I have been taking the newspaper ever since I first came here in 1996. I originally heard about it from my social worker.

"As well as news, it has valuable information which can help listeners with problems they may be experiencing."