ANNIVERSARY celebrations were somewhat bittersweet for the long-running Black Country Talking Newspaper and Magazine for the blind which faces a battle to stay on the air after losing vital funding.

On Friday July 22, dedicated volunteers celebrated the 40th birthday of the Stourbridge-based initiative which has been providing a weekly round-up of the latest local news and sport to thousands of people across the Black Country affected by sight loss.

But earlier this month - the service, which is run by Black Country sight loss charity the Beacon Centre, was dealt a huge blow when it was confirmed Dudley Council would be withdrawing its financial support for the initiative from October.

The council has typically given around £7,000 a year towards the service which provides a lifeline to many people suffering from blindness and visual impairment and which is one of the oldest talking newspapers in the country.

But cutbacks, which are being blamed on a reduction in funding from central government, mean the authority can no longer afford to offer financial support.

The situation has left bosses at the Beacon Centre, which took over the running of the newspaper and magazine last October, desperately appealing for help to ensure the service can continue.

Arwyn Jones, the charity's chief executive, said: “The Black Country Talking News and Magazine is a much-loved publication that goes out to up to 200 people living with sight loss a week.

“Given that isolation and loneliness are common problems for those who are visually impaired we are determined to do all we can to keep it going.

"We are looking for companies that may want to sponsor the news or take out an advertisement on it to get in touch with us and help us maintain this vital service in the future.”

In its beginnings in the 1970s - the talking newspaper and magazine operated out of a caravan in the grounds of the old Wordsley Hospital - sending out talking newspapers and magazines on cassette tapes.

It moved to its current base in 1996 and switched to sending out CDs in 2009 - but earlier this year it went digital and is now available on the Beacon Centre’s website.

A 12-strong team of volunteer broadcasters put together the newspaper and magazine and over the years they have managed to clinch interviews with top names including football's Sir Alex Ferguson, film star Sir Norman Wisdom, TV presenter Phillip Schofield, Dudley's very own Sir Lenny Henry and comedian Ken Dodd.

The organisation also produces an Arabic Talking Newspaper and an Asian Talking News.

Helen Brown, spokesman for the Beacon Centre, said the charity hopes to try and raise around £10,000 for the coming year through donations, sponsorship and advertising to help keep the service going.

She said centre bosses are also keen to develop the digital presence of the talking newspaper and magazine and she added: "We would really appreciate any technical support and advice anyone may also be willing to contribute."

Anyone able to help can contact the Beacon Centre on 01902 886785, email hbrown@beaconvision.org or go to www.beaconvision.org