TRIBUTES have been paid to a campaigner for blind people, as a suite of computer equipment in her name was handed over.

Ann Kallagher, 59, died earlier this year after a heart attack, having lobbied and campaigned for years to improve the quality of life of blind people in Stockton.

She was a founder member of Stockton Blind People's Voice and had pressed for changes to road crossings, training and other access issues - as well as information technology.

Yesterday, the borough council unveiled a voice-response computer for blind people at Stockton central library's open technology centre.

Two of Mrs Kallagher's grandchildren, Laura Marr and Sarah Gatford, both 11, cut the ribbon on the computer at a ceremony attended by other members of her family and Mayor Pete Andrew.

Special guest was blind computer user Alan Brown, who has been awarded a grant from the Deaf Blind UK charity to train on similar equipment at his home, prior to training other blind people.

Mr Brown, of Monkland Close, Middlesbrough, said: "People who go blind later in life miss the written word more than anything else. The word processor with the voice box in is a great step forward.

"Although Braille, large print and cassettes are helpful, they are an inadequate substitute for the printed word.

"This computer enables me to write and read e-mail and surf the Internet. Otherwise, I have to have other people read my personal letters to me.''

Geoff Garnett, of Stockton Voice, said: "Ann was a great loss to us. She was dedicated and enthusiastic and got us all through obstacles and difficulties with her fantastic sense of humour. She is irreplaceable."

He also praised Andrea Barker, of borough library services, for the council's support.