DEAL'S favourite funny man, Sir Norman Wisdom, was back in his home town today laughing and joking as usual.

The actor and comic visited the new studios of the Whitecliffs Talking Newspaper, cutting a length of cassette tape to mark the official opening.

Sir Norman is the charity's patron and he was also invited to cut a special cake made to celebrate his recent 88th birthday.

Recording engineer and reader Julie Powell said: "He is as busy as ever, but he still found time, even on a private visit to Deal, to make an appearance for one of his many chosen charities."

The studio, in Park Street, is in premises owned by Hardmans firm of solicitors and Denis Atherden, now retired, was a senior partner in the firm and is now a volunteer reader for the talking newspaper.

He approached the company with the idea of a studio in the building, it was accepted and the team went to work redecorating the room.

The White Cliffs Talking Newspaper for the Blind celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2001 and would like to hear from anyone who would like to receive a weekly tape of local news.

For more information phone Daphne Forward on 01304 374485 or see the WTN website on www.welcome.to/wtn