A SERVICE to assist deaf visitors is now available at a Llandudno theatre.

Customers at Venue Cymru who converse through British Sign Language can now book their tickets using an Interpretor Live service.

To use the service, the sales assistant will click on to the interpreters live link on their computer and an interpreter will communicate with the patron via a video link on a separate screen on top of the counter, and to the sales assistant via a telephone.

A Venue Cymru spokesperson said: It’s great that we can give our patrons this service at Venue Cymru, in this day and age. There should be no restriction to anyone in getting a good level of customer service."

The new service at the theatre follows on from a move by Conwy County Borough Council to improving accessibility. Visitors to Conwy Council’s main offices at Coed Pella, Bodlondeb and Mochdre have access to an on-screen British Sign Language interpreter with no prior appointment required. This is part of a 12-month pilot scheme. It will then be evaluated with the county’s Deaf community.

The facility is set to be available at Theatr Colwyn in the near future.

A spokesperson from Venue Cymru added: "We endeavour to ensure that all of our patrons, regardless of their specific requirements can access our service, so are thrilled to be able to offer this new facility alongside our other access services

The venue is part of the national access scheme Hynt.

Hynt works with theatres and arts centres and enables its members, who need support accessing the theatre, a concessionary rate for their companions.