FREEMASONS in Northallerton are helping to give a voice to youngsters who find it difficult to express themselves.

They have provided equipment worth £500 to the Children's Centre in Brompton Road.

The equipment consists of three communication aids, allowing pre-recorded speech to be added, so that when the child either presses a picture or a button the machine will speak for them.

Peter Lloyd, of Northallerton Freemasons, presented the equipment to staff at the centre yesterday.