A Darlington poet has recorded some of her favourite pieces onto cassettes to make them accessible to everyone.

Joyce Crawford joined forces with Talking Newspapers to produce the tape, called Catastrophes, Mishaps and Muses.

Since the late 80s, she has written over 250 poems and has had two books published.

However, it was during a conversation with members of the Bennet House Writers' Group that Mrs Crawford decided instead of publishing another book, she would record her work onto cassettes so they could be enjoyed by the blind and visually impaired too.

The 62-year-old said: "I have been writing poetry for many years. It started when I began to write verses for birthday and Christmas cards.

"In 1988, I was made redundant and I found I had a lot of time of my hands, so I joined the Bennet House Writers' Group and started writing 'properly'.

"I wanted to produce a tape instead of publishing another book, as it means more people will be able to enjoy the poems."

The hour-long tape features 32 poems. The tapes are now on sale priced at £5, with 25 pence from each cassette going towards the Talking Newspaper, which produces newspapers and magazines for the visually-impaired.

The tapes can be bought from Bennet House, in Horse Market, Darlington, on Thursday from 10.30am to 11.30am, and again on Monday from 9.30am to 10.15am. Alternatively, call Mrs Crawford on (01325) 288758.