ROMSEY has become the first worldwide to be awarded status as a Makaton Friendly Town.

More than 30 organisations in Romsey now use the sign language which is based on British Sign Language and is used with children and adults with communication difficulties.

As previously reported, the town had been bidding to become the first Makaton-friendly town by encouraging businesses to sign up. More than a third of the total number of companies needed to be using the sign language to finish the accreditation.

It is aimed at making it easier for disabled residents to use the facilities independently.

Bosses at the Makaton charity had said that the 30 companies needed to learn 20 signs or symbols which they can then use to communicate with.

The accreditation was the brainchild of Speaking Space, a Romsey organisation that supports children and adults with communication difficulties.

Last year, Hannah Anderson, a Makaton tutor, suggested the idea and the company began running free training sessions to organisations in the town.

Now, 31 town companies are registered, including Romsey firefighters and police officers.

Alex Kelly, managing director of Speaking Space, said: "We are committed to improving the quality of lives of anyone who comes to us and we know that being able to express your needs and be understood is an essential part of this and of being independent.

"We wanted to take what we do at Speaking Space and extend it into the community and we can't thank the people of Romsey enough for being so supportive and enthusiastic."

Doctor's surgeries, pubs, tea rooms and a building society are just some of the other companies who now use Makaton.

Romsey MP Caroline Nokes said: “Hannah and the team at Speaking Space have worked incredibly hard to reach this huge achievement and I’m very proud to see that Romsey has become the first Makaton-friendly town centre in the world.

“We all know how crucial it is to be able to properly communicate with people we meet in the course of daily life, however for those with a communication impairment it can be extremely difficult.

“This new scheme goes a huge way to changing that and making Romsey a truly inclusive market town.”