Blind artist Dawn Parkinson is spreading the word of a book club she attends, to encourage more visually impaired people to get out of their homes.

Mrs Parkinson, of Hardwick Road, Dover, who was born with no vision in her right eye and poor sight in her left, has been a member of The Audio and Support Book Club since it was founded around four years ago.

The group meet on the fourth Thursday of every month at 11am at Dover Library.

She said: “People don’t have to be registered blind. It is for anyone who has sight loss or is unable to read print.

“The books are on MP3 CDs. We even give people MP3 players to take home.

“We have it for a month and listen to it. Then we discuss the book and give it marks.”

The books are supplied by Calibre.

She said: “I enjoy every single one of them. I listen to them when I’m painting.”

Mrs Parkinson has never let her disability stop her from doing what she enjoys, and with the help of a monocular and a magnifier she has been able to carry on painting.

She has raised thousands for charity as well as exhibited her sought-after work in London, Australia and America.

She said: “It’s nice to get out. Getting around for people with sight loss is very difficult. It’s a chance to make friends and we go off and have lunch after.”

The next meeting will be on Thursday, March 26.

The club is led by Marion Beatty and Denise Smith. Call 01304 823890 for more information.