It’s an ability that most people take for granted but without it life can become a constant source of frustration.

For more than 50 years Sheena Crompton struggled with simple tasks, such as ordering food at restaurants and picking up the telephone - all because of a stammer.

Five years ago however she found herself relieved of most of the symptoms, and now she is a volunteer coach for an organisation that helps treat speech impediments.

Although she will never class herself as being cured of her condition, she is now able to speak freely and feels her life is more liberated than before.

The 61-year-old, of Knaves Acre in Headcorn, said: “It was a daily problem until I was 56. I picked the stammer up when I was three and before that I could speak without a problem.

“Numbers were a real difficulty for me, if someone asked for my phone number at work I would freeze.

“It’s really important to get people to control their speech and I enjoy helping people overcome these problems.”

Mrs Crompton will be present at an open day which promotes the course that helped her overcome her stammer.

The two hour session will begin at 2pm on Saturday, August 3 and will take place in the meeting room at Headcorn Village Hall on Church Lane.

The event is organised by the McGuire programme, a company that provides support for people with speech problems, and is free to attend.

For more information visit www.mcguireprogramme.com or contact Sheena Crompton on: 07970 776746