Bringing meaning to a silent world

Deaf-blind people in Oldham have been learning special sign language to help them communicate in their silent world.

The sessions are held at the Link Centre on Union Street, where people can access services for the deaf-blind.

Development worker Mick Flatley teaches a combination of signs and manual spelling using the hands.

And one of his visitors was 27-year-old Michael Collins, from Derker, who was deaf from birth and whose sight deteriorated and became very limited in his teens.

Mick is not just an Oldham Council adult services employee but also a talented runner, and three weeks ago he won the Blackpool Marathon in a time of two hours, 39 minutes and 44 seconds.

He is training for the ultimate test of the Bob Graham Round, where the aim is to reach 42 Lake District peaks, totalling 27,000ft of climbing and 72 miles, in under 24 hours, which he will attempt later this month.