Two friends have started a campaign to increase literary provision for the visually impaired.

The idea came to Joyce Snow, of Crossflatts, and Dania Leslie, of Bingley, after a recent visit to Keighley Library.

Joyce had been disappointed to discover there was only one copy of a book she wanted in any of Bradford's libraries.

It got her thinking about large print books and talking books. She says: "We need more books and cassettes in the library. We thought we could appeal for cassette recorders for the blind and old people."

Joyce and Dania feel there is a shortage of such items, and while Joyce could complain about her book the more vulnerable cannot.

They suggest people hand in their old cassette players and talking books to the library or extra funding be found through the council for increased provision.

Braford libraries chief Councillor Anne Hawkesworth admits there is a shortage of books funding.

"Insufficient money has been spent," she says, "And that translates to large print and talking books. There's a Government directive to put more money into books over the next three years.

"But we have the financial package we picked up so can't introduce improvements immediately.

"I will have to look at the situation with large print and talking books."

Keighley's head librarian Judy Triffitt adds: "We already issue talking books and provide them free of charge.

"If people gave us cassette players and they were faulty we would have a problem and we wouldn't have the space to store them. We are quite happy to take cassettes and accept donations of books or whatever if they are in working order."

Judy suggests Keighley Disabled Centre as a possible depot for cassette recorders. Staff at the centre expressed an interest in Joyce and Dania's idea and are willing to discuss it further.

But Kevin Baldwin, Keighley Association for the Blind's co-ordinator, says there is a bigger problem.

He explains: "The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) provides an excellent talking book service, using BBC staff to record their books.

"But because they are whole books rather than the abridged versions on talking books special machines are needed. People have to pay £55 a year for these machines. Social services used to pay for them, but through lack of funding they don't do it any more." Mr Baldwin agrees there is a shortage of talking books in libraries, but feels more people should have access to the RNIB service.