A PUBLISHING house which produces unique tactile and audio books for blind and partially sighted people has been given a financial boost.

Living Paintings, based in Kingsclere Park, Kingsclere, has received a £2,500 donation from the Shanly Foundation to help fund its book clubs and library of unique books for blind and partially sighted people.

More than 800 blind and partially sighted people in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire are reached by the life-changing service which Living Paintings provides completely free, meaning donations are vital.

Since it was founded in 1989, Living Paintings has created distinctive books feature tactile images and have audio soundtracks to direct fingertips across the raised surfaces, bringing the stories to life and allowing the reader to feel and ‘see’ the pictures being described.

The audio books are often narrated by familiar voices, including Martin Freeman, Mel Giedroyc and Sir Derek Jacobi.

The donation from the Shanly Foundation will held the organisation with running costs for the next year.

Camilla Oldland, chief executive officer of Living Paintings, said: “Our charity is dependent on voluntary donations and we would not be able to achieve all that we do without the generous support of organisations such as the Shanly Foundation.

“Thanks to their grant I am delighted that we are now able to guarantee that over 800 blind and partially sighted people living in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire will benefit from our very special service throughout next year.”

The Shanly Foundation is a charitable organisation which supports causes predominantly within Hampshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.

Living Painting will be celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2019.