BLIND schoolgirl Paige Rowe said a new Braille machine to help her write would “make such a difference to my life”.

The seven-year-old, of Greenacres Drive, Wantage, was delighted at being given the device by a local charity fund. It replaces her old model, which she could not carry on her own and disturbed her fellow Wantage CE Primary School pupils with its noise.

Paige, who is also deaf in her left ear and was born with a deformed left leg, said: “The new Brailler has made such a difference to me. It gives me freedom because I can take it anywhere and I absolutely love to write, especially stories.

“I’m so grateful and would like to say a huge thank-you.”

The £495 Perkins Brailler was donated by the Wantage 999 Fund, made up of Wantage Fire and Rescue, Thames Valley Police and South Central Ambulance Service.

Tony Whiting, watch manager at Wantage fire station, said: “Paige is a special little girl and we’re delighted to be able to help her with the Braille machine.”