COMIC Sir Norman Wisdom paid a visit to his home town of Deal still smiling and cracking jokes.

The former slapstick actor, who is 90 in February, was visiting the studios of the Whitecliffs Talking Newspaper for the Blind to record a special message for Sunday’s charity concert at the Astor Theatre Arts Centre.

Sound engineer Julie Powell said: “It was really kind of him to drop in to see us during his family visit to Deal.

“As usual he kept the team of volunteers very amused and we are always grateful for his support.”

Sir Norman is patron of the Whitecliffs Talking Newspaper for the Blind and recorded a special message for the charity’s annual show The Big Deal Music at 6.30pm, when all proceeds will be for the talking newspaper.

The Snowdown Male Voice Choir will be singing, there will be English Folk music from the Deal Hoodeners and a mixture of songs from West End Shows, presented by James Cormack.

Soprano Margaret Threadgold, accompanied by David Cole, will add her own touch to the mix of music and all the artistes are giving their time free to help the Whitecliffs Talking Newspaper.

The concert is sponsored by Dover-based Powell Print and tickets at £6, to include sherry and mince pies, are on sale from Biggs Opticians, Deal, the Deal Hoy Pub, or by telephoning Julie Powell on 01304 373799.

The Whitecliffs Talking Newspaper has a band of volunteer readers, recording engineers and editors, who each week present a tape of articles from the East Kent Mercury and Dover Mercury.

Tapes are distributed in Dover, Deal and Sandwich areas by the Kent Association for the Blind and are available, free of charge, by post to anybody with a visual impairment. More information on the Whitecliffs Talking Newspaper is available from Daphne Forward on 01304 374485.