THIRTY years of the East Lothian Messenger talking newspaper is being celebrated on Saturday.

The first edition of the county talking newspaper for the visually impaired, which features news from the Courier, was recorded and distributed on January 8, 1993.

The Dalkeith and Monktonhall Brass Band will present an evening of popular and traditional music at St Mary’s Parish Church, in Haddington, at 7.30pm; tickets are £10 for adults and entry is free for under-16s.

Tickets are available from Kesley’s Bookshop in Haddington and Linton Butchers in East Linton, or by calling Veronica Wallace on 01368 830363.

A spokesperson for the group said: “Our service is entirely free of charge.

“If you know someone who can no longer manage to read the printed version of the East Lothian Courier, please encourage them to contact co-ordinator Veronica Wallace on 01368 830363 and she will arrange for them to receive a weekly recording of a selection of articles from the newspaper.

“A USB stick will be sent out each week and, if a person does not have a USB player, we will gladly supply one, free of charge.

“The players are quite easy to use and our volunteers will deliver them and explain how to use them.”

East Lothian Messenger volunteers celebrated the anniversary with a buffet at the Linton Hotel, East Linton.