HAMMERSMITH based charity Hearing Concern is taking to the road for the first time in its 57 year history, to lend support and advice to people across Hounslow.

The charity has purchased a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 311CDI van, which has been converted into a mobile information unit to accommodate workstations and display areas.

The van will park up at road shows and events across the two counties to raise awareness of the help and technological aids available to the hard of hearing.

Mobile Advice Co-ordinator Tim Partridge oversaw the acquisition and conversion of the vehicle.

One of eight staff who run the volunteer-led charity from offices in King Street, Hammersmith, he explains: "We represent and help predominantly adults who've lost their hearing during the stages of later life.

"We run a help desk and the mobile unit is an extension of this.

"The unit will tour lip reading classes and hard of hearing clubs, and during Deaf Awareness Week it will be the focus of activities to raise the charity's profile."

Hearing Concern was founded in 1947, although its origins can be traced back to World War One.

Its new Mercedes boasts a full complement of assistive technology for visitors to test, including an amplified telephone and BT base station that allows them to make a call and hear the amplification - bringing obvious benefits.

Other impressive features of the van include infra-red paging systems, mobile phones fitted with neck loops for wearers of hearing aids, doorbell entry systems and smoke detector systems.

"Basic communication devices are often taken for granted but can present major problems for the hard of hearing," continues Tim.

"With our new van, we are able to pass on a raft of information on technology and our services that can help them to overcome these obstacles."

The Sprinter arrived via Help the Aged, which buys significant numbers of vans from Mercedes dealer S&B Commercials, of Hatfield.

Supplied as a standard panel van, it was then fitted with windows down one side and in the rear doors, as well as a wheelchair-accessible tail lift near the back of the vehicle.

The Sprinter has quickly won favour with Tim, who is no stranger to the three-pointed star.

"As an HGV driver I've driven all sorts of Mercedes vehicles in the past, everything from an artic to a minibus, and know well the benefits of Mercedes-Benz technology," he says.

"I've been highly impressed with the Sprinter - it's very slick.

"When I tell people that my company car' is a Mercedes it commands a certain amount of respect!

"It's not often you get such luxury and comfort in what is, at the end of the day, a working vehicle."