A publication which reaches out to people with sight problems across the county has received a welcome boost.

Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Cllr Kevin Brookes has been out spreading Christmas cheer with his Mayor's Christmas Fund, and has donated £100 to the South West Dorset Talking Newspaper.

Cllr Brookes launched the appeal in November, in partnership with the Weymouth and Portland Lions Club.

The community is asked to donate money, which is then shared between a number of good causes, such as the Dorset Echo's Toy Appeal, Christmas lunch for various groups of elderly and vulnerable people and donations to local food banks and soup kitchens.

The appeal raised a total of £2,437.93 last year.

Organisations are also invited to apply for a share of the funds.

The South West Dorset Talking Newspaper provides a weekly round-up of news and a talking magazine to people who are blind and partially sighted. The service is free of charge and serves the Weymouth, Portland, Lyme Regis, Bridport, Dorchester, Sherborne and Blandford areas.

For more information, see www.swdtn.co.uk