Workers in north Norfolk are being encouraged to take up a new language - by learning to sign.Signs4Life is setting up a number of introductory courses, which can last as little as six weeks, at work places across the district to make employees better equipped to communicate with deaf people.

Workers in north Norfolk are being encouraged to take up a new language - by learning to sign.

Signs4Life is setting up a number of introductory courses, which can last as little as six weeks, at work places across the district to make employees better equipped to communicate with deaf people.

Sara Phillips, the organisations' founder, said: 'You never know when you will come into contact with a customer or member of the public who is deaf or hard of hearing.

'British Sign Language is the first language of 95,000 deaf people in the UK and we are working with organisations as varied as care homes, police forces, The Red Cross and Asda.'

Signs4Life is behind a campaign to introduce sign language as a GCSE option and will host the first ever conference on deaf awareness and career progression in north Norfolk in the summer.

For more information about the courses, contact Ms Phillips on 07964 019 764.