A CHARITY dedicated to helping local people affected by stroke can bank on Lloyds TSB.

For the high street bank has handed over a much needed £14,000 to Speakeasy, a Ramsbottom based group.

The money has come from the Lloyds TSB Foundation, which helps worthy causes. It will allow the group to employ an assistant speech and language therapist.

Speakeasy provides a range of services including group therapy and support sessions, information and advice and lifelong learning opportunities for people who have developed Aphasia, a communication disorder that can affect a person's ability to use and understand spoken or written words.

Joyce McCarthy, project co-ordinator for Speakeasy, said: "This donation from the Lloyds TSB Foundation is great news for us as we will be able to continue to provide people with Aphasia with the means to communicate and live independently."

Stuart Lansley, manager of the Bury branch, said: "This is an excellent organisation which enables people with Aphasia to communicate more effectively while gaining friendship and mutual support. I am delighted that the Lloyds TSB Foundation can support Speakeasy and wish it every success in the future."