A charity that sends tapes of Watford Observer articles to blind people in Radlett is hoping to raise £3,000 to switch to a digital system.

The Radlett, Elstree, Borehamwood and Shenley Talking Newspaper hopes to reach out to more people and improve the quality of its recordings by replacing weekly cassette tapes with USB memory sticks.

If enough money is raised, these sticks will be sent alongside free equipment that can play them without a computer.

A demonstration of the new equipment was given to volunteers at the society’s annual general meeting held in Radlett last Tuesday.

David Clout, the charity’s chairman, said: “The members found little problem operating the machine. The sound quality is on a par with digital radio, which is a vast improvement on cassettes.

“We have little income and yet the rental for our little studio alone is £1,000 per year. We are sold on the idea but we need to have £3,000 in the kitty to buy the new recording and copying equipment, 50 players and 100 memory sticks.”

To make a donation or receive a tape telephone David Clout on 01923 854403 or email on dclout@herts.atl.org.uk.