LOCAL libraries are helping to pioneer a project to make reading easier for visually impaired people.

More than £170,000 has been secured from the DCMS Wolfson Library Challenge Fund to get the scheme up and running.

The service is a partnership between Bury Council, Bury Society for Blind and Partially Sighted People and the National Library for the Blind.

The money will pay for a reader development pilot project called "A Touch More", aimed at giving those with sight problems who struggle to use standard print greater access to books and information about books.

Councillor Siobhan Costello, arts and culture spokesman, said: "The project will work with a group of visually impaired people to explore what libraries have to offer, look at accessible websites and catalogues, discover other providers of reading and library services and develop reading groups where people can share their experience, knowledge and enthusiasm for books."

The pilot project will last one year and its findings will be shared with other UK libraries who will be encouraged to do more for the visually impaired.

The service follows previous NLB schemes involving local libraries, such as "A Touching Experience" and "A Touch Of...".