READ my lips - my course can seriously improve your life.

That's the message from Angela Doherty to Bolton's deaf and hard of hearing.

The lip-reading instructor, of Beechcroft Grove, Darcy Lever, learned the skill when she realised she was beginning to lose her own hearing.

Miss Doherty, 44, saw that many deaf people's confidence had been shattered as they struggled to follow conservations.

The embarrassment was so acute for some that they became increasingly withdrawn and isolated.

Most had picked up a tiny bit of lip reading. But a few hours devoted to learning basic tips and tactics brought about a dramatic transformation.

The former Salford council community worker said: "The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to give back some of what I'd learned.

"A lot of people end up not going out. They are frightened of people speaking to them because it's so awkward. They can become isolated. It's all about building confidence.

"I've been to classes before and the difference in people after they've been to maybe three or four classes is unbelievable. I've seen them start off really quiet but become much more outgoing.

"It's all about teaching different conversational tactics if a situation crops up which they might not be able to deal with."

Miss Doherty was disappointed when only one person turned up for her first lip-reading class at Breightmet Library, Breightmet Drive, last Monday.

But she expects the classes will build as word spreads. The free classes are at 9.30am to 11.30am every Monday morning. 'I didn't realise how much I was losing out' DOROTHY Brown, 60, of Walkden, met Angela Doherty when they both attended lip-reading classes at Little Hulton Library. She says it made a real difference to her life.

"I didn't realise just how much I was losing out until I went to lip reading classes at Little Hulton library. The tutor started talking about how it affects your life. It's not just about learning how to read but the psychology of deafness.

"You do lose confidence when you can't hear people properly. One of the things we learned was that because there's no visual marker that you are deaf and you keep asking people to repeat things or give the wrong answer to a question they treat you as if you are stupid. One of the main things I have learned is it that you mustn't be embarrassed about being deaf.

"You think you are being a nuisance but you have got to assert yourself and tell people 'I can't hear you.'

"As well as lip reading you are taught to look for body signals which give you clues.

"It has definitely improved the quality of my life. Another aspect is that when you go to classes you meet people who have experienced similar problems to you.

"I would suggest people take their relatives along as well because it makes them more deaf aware."