EXHIBITORS from across the UK will descend on Teesside later this week to take part in a showcase for the blind and visually impaired.

The event at Stockton Central Library on Thursday, is on a drop-in basis and the focus of the exhibition is to raise awareness of the technology as well as services available for those who are blind or visually impaired and their carers.

Apart from information provided by Stockton Borough Council's libraries, social services and education departments, there will be a wide range of other displays from organisations such as Stockton's Blind People's Voice.

Lesley King, the council's libraries and information services manager, said: "This is the first event of its kind in Stockton and is an ideal opportunity to give people who are blind or visually impaired, their carers, or indeed anyone who may be interested in new technology the chance to talk directly to suppliers, as well as those who provide specialist services."

The day coincides with the launch of a website by Stockton Blind People's Voice, which contains information about the organisation and a whole range of topics of interest to the blind.