ONE of Plymouth and West Devon Talking Newspaper's longest-serving helpers has retired — and three teams of workers are taking over the job he carried out.

Harold Benton, who is 'far nearer 90 than 80', has devoted his Friday mornings to the talking newspaper for the blind every week for 23 years.

In addition, he and his wife Molly went to the studio once a month to make in excess of 300 copies of the monthly magazine.

Harold decided to retire while he was still able and well enough to hand the job on to his successors and at his recent presentation — when he was given a voucher to use at the Bedford Hotel in Tavistock — he said his 23 years had been very happy.

'The best part of the job was the people I worked with,' he said.

A spokesperson for the talking newspaper said to replace Harold with one person was 'nigh on impossible'.

'Hence the work is being done by three teams working on a rota basis. It consists of the overseeing of the copying, logging and despatch of about 300 to 350 tapes each week to the blind and visually impaired within Plymouth and West Devon,' he said.

Anyone who would like to receive the free service, or who could offer a couple of hours every three or four weeks helping this worthwhile cause is asked to contact Chris Dicker on 01822 612102, or Lyn Browne on 613843.