THE new studio of a talking newspaper which was rehoused by The Northern Echo received its first high-profile visitor yesterday.

Darlington Talking Newspaper for the Blind welcomed Alan Milburn, the town's MP, for a tour and interview a week after the opening of its offices at the newspaper's home in Priestgate.

The charity was forced to leave its former base on the top floor at Darlington Arts Centre, because of imminent laws on disability access.

Mr Milburn's visit came as the talking newspaper recorded and delivered its first edition from its new home.

He said: "The Echo has been incredibly generous to the talking newspaper and it is precisely what you would expect from a good local community paper, to be as generous as that to an important community organisation," he said.

"I can't think of many papers which would do it.

"It means the talking newspaper can offer a bigger service and a more profitable service."

The charity has 45 volunteers, many of whom were finding the flights of stairs to the former premises difficult, and helpers were having to give up their devotion to the cause as a result.

About 350 people, in the Darlington area and as far afield as the Isle of Wight, receive copies of the talking newspaper. Anyone interested in subscribing, or volunteering to help, can contact the charity on (01325) 465101.