A PASSIONATE sign language tutor has urged people to take up learning the skill after face masks have hindered the daily lives of people with hearing problems.

Adrienne Ward, from Andover, has moved her business SignsAward into new offices in Union Street in December.

The 51-year-old has been signing for more than 20 years.

Adrienne, who is originally from South Africa, said the skill was invaluable and she encouraged more people to take lessons.

She said: "More people should do it, especially after Rose Ayling-Ellis won the last Strictly Come Dancing. She has shown how important it is and how easy it is to learn. There is no excuse for anyone not to."

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Adrienne was inspired to start teaching the skill by her aunt who tutored deaf people.

When Adrienne came to England in 1998, she started using her skills at the Winchester Family Church and her business has grown from there.

She now offers classes to groups or personal lessons, costing £10 for 90 minutes.

Adrienne said she is proud to have recently taught groups at Royal Mail and Tesco.

She said: "It is the best and easiest language to learn in the world.

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"Eighty-nine per cent of our communication is through our body language, therefore we have all learnt to lip-read.

"Can you imagine how hard that has become with the masks.

"If we want to help people and to communicate, then we need to learn."

For more details email signsaward@gmail.com

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