The driving force behind Richmond's talking newspaper has died, aged 89.

Joan Kemp, who lived in Hampton Hill, spent her last days in a Kent nursing home. She had Alzheimer's and died on March 14.

With a blind father-in-law, Joan became a member of the Twickenham Blind Club and started organising activities for them.

She was fundamental to the establishment of the Richmond Talking Newspaper, in 1979, and stayed at the helm of the organisation until poor health forced her to step down four years ago.

Alec Thomas, who currently chairs the talking newspaper, said: "There was always a dichotomy with Joan. She was a great driving force for the blind community but she could be quite awkward.

"I got on with her well, but Joan did not like working with women and she had the old-fashioned view that men should be in charge.

"She was very determined and knew what she wanted.

"When something is starting off from scratch you need someone like that.

"Without Joan it would not have happened."

Joan was recently appointed professor emeritus to recognise her contribution to the organisation.

Alec said: "This is a post which will not be filled again.

"She will be the first and only professor emeritus in recognition of the work she did.

"It became her life."

Around 150 blind and partially sighted people in Richmond benefit from the service, which sees volunteers reading the week's edition of the Richmond and Twickenham Times on to tapes. The tapes are then posted out to service users.

Joan was cremated at Medway Crematorium, Kent, and a memorial service will be held at St James' Church, Hampton Hill, on a date yet to be decided.

Anyone interested in signing up to the service is normally referred by social services, but enquiries can be made via Alec Thomas on 020 8890 3437.