A COUNCIL is hoping to help residents with reading problems through the introduction of a programme on its website.

The Browsealoud system, which is aimed at people with dyslexia, learning disabilities, or who speak English as a second language, has been installed on the Internet by Easington District Council.

To use the programme, the software needs to be downloaded from the council's home page. Once installed, the user only needs to hover the cursor over the text to hear it read out loud.

A council spokesman said yesterday: "This innovative software allows more people to access council informa-tion.

"We hope this facility will encourage more residents to log on to the District of Easington's website and find out more about what is going on in the area.