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On Monday, October 29, they launch an audio guide for blind and partially-sighted people to help visually impaired people gain maximum value from a visit.

The cassette, which lasts about an hour, gives an audio guide to the men's seating area of the former Spanish and Portuguese synagogue which has housed the museum since 1984.

It also provide greater access to the permanent exhibition upstairs in the former Ladies' Gallery.

The audio guide has been produced by Ken Howarth of Heritage Recordings (UK) and was written by Merton Paul, a long-standing volunteer and author of the museum's much-praised visitors' guidebook.

It has been made possible due to a grant from the North West Museums Service supported by the Millennium Festival Fund of the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The museum has four audio guides but visitors wishing to make use of this service are advised to phone in advance. For more information and bookings phone 0161 834 9879.