With the discovery space shuttle safely landed and a new Mars probe on its way, space exploration is very much in the news at the moment.

With this in mind, Berkshire-based charity The Living Paintings Trust has launched its new Space Exploration Pack to help visually impaired children learn about the space shuttle and solar system in a fun and accessible way.

The Living Paintings Trust produces raised, textured images or 'feely' pictures, that enable a partially sighted person to 'see' pictures through their fingers.

The raised images, known as Thermoforms, are accompanied by audio tapes to describe what is being seen via touch.

The new space exploration pack aims to teach partially sighted children about the planets within our universe and how we attempt to explore them, through a selection of feely pictures which include the solar system, an astronaut, the Hubble telescope, and, of course, the space shuttle. The pack is aimed at visually impaired children aged seven to 11 and will be launched in time for the new school year. To bring the pictures to life, the audio discussion will centre around a British child on Earth who speaks to three astronauts who are living on the International Space Station. North London-born actress Imelda Staunton plays the British astronaut, with chef Ken Hom and actor Nick Lumley playing her companions.

The Space Exploration Pack is just one of the many resources produced by the Living Paintings Trust. The charity also provides a variety of touch and sound packs and books, including Braille-adapted children's books, educational topic packs and resource packs for both students and teachers, as well as packs covering a variety of adult interests including gardening, art and architecture.

All of their packs and resources are available through a free library service and are distributed through the post so that anyone living in Britain and the Republic of Ireland can benefit from the service.

If you would like to know more, you can contact the Living Paintings Trust on 01635 299 771.