British mail is now free of charge for the visually impaired

The free mail service, for books, letters and other print material is an extension of the company's "Articles for the Blind" postal service.

The UK-wide scheme delivers specified items - such as talking books and white sticks - free of charge, for those registered blind or partially sighted.

Seven million items are sent each year under the scheme, which began in 1906.

The items must be labelled "articles for the blind" to qualify for the concession.

Royal Mail product manager Sharon Palmer said: "Royal Mail has offered a special service for blind people for nearly a century and is proud to do so with its unique access and reach to the UK's 27 million addresses."

The extended scheme was developed in conjunction with the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB).