BOTH deaf and hearing children are to benefit from a new book that brings the alphabet to life.

The Children's Sign Dictionary has been produced by the Cleveland Sign Resource Centre to teach youngsters the basics of sign language.

As the second publication of its kind, it incorporates several of the centre's other books in a bigger and better volume.

Aimed at children aged from six months upwards, it is designed for a parent and child to read together.

David Hodgson, coordinator of the Sign Resource Project, said: "It's also aimed at hearing children, because they can benefit from the pictures, as well as learning sign language. It would make a nice stocking filler."

The Sign Dictionary, which is A4 size, and includes a categorised index of animals, clothes, food and drink, and toys, is available from Middlesbrough's Beverley School, home to the resource centre, or The Forest Bookshop, Coleford, Gloucestershire, on (01594) 833858