THOSE suffering from vision or hearing loss in Halton will soon have access to a specialised support service in a first for the region.

Halton Sensory Services will be opened by the Mayor of Halton on March 27 in Widnes Road, Widnes, and will be a hub where residents can access information and support under one roof.

There will be a team of specialist staff experienced in sight and hearing loss, vision impairment and deafness available for general enquiries or appointments in rehabilitation, aids and adaptations.

Home visits can also be arranged for people with mobility or health issues.

The partners, Vision Support, Deafness Resource Centre and Halton Borough Council, are working together to establish the fully integrated sensory service, reducing the need for residents to contact different organisations for support with their sensory needs.

The service will also make use of a mobile unit to go to into communities to reach out to more isolated residents and to inform people of the support available.

A spokesperson for Halton Borough Council said: "Halton Sensory Services and the opening of the new base in Widnes will make a real difference to the quality of life and wellbeing of people living with sensory loss in Halton."