Simon Hart MP has added his voice to the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy's 'Giving Voice' campaign.

He attended the Oscar-nominated film 'The King's Speech' at Milford Haven's Torch Theatre with local speech and language therapists.

In the film Colin Firth portrays King George VI, who struggles to overcome a stammer, in order to speak to the nation, with the help of therapist Lionel Logue.

The Giving Voice campaign aims to raise awareness that access to adequate levels of specialist support from speech and language therapists not only transforms lives but also saves the UK economy money.

Matrix Evidence have recently published research which calculates that in Wales investment in speech and language therapy reduces avoidable costs to the NHS, local authorities, the criminal justice system and the wider economy by over 38 million pounds each year.

"The team behind The King's Speech is to be congratulated, not just for making a wonderful film, but also for bringing to the forefront the importance of speech therapy," said Mr Hart.

"However, from talking to the therapists I met on the night I now know that helping stammerers accounts for only a tiny fraction of their work.

"As the film shows, having a speech impairment can ruin your life. It is vital that everyone, at any age and from any background, gets the right help."

Over four and a half thousand people are referred for speech and language therapy intervention across the Hywel Dda Health Board each year. Local Giving Voice Champion, Pip Large said, "Communication and swallowing difficulties can be devastating for sufferers and their families. Strokes are the most common cause of disability in adults. It is estimated that 7% of children entering school have significant speech and language difficulties and 60% of young offenders struggle with communication."