AN EAST Lancashire author was left speechless after discovering his tongue twisting verses were being used to cure stammers.

Retired Helmshore journalist Chris Aspin's book How Now, Brown Cow? was picked up by a speech therapist in East Sussex who used it to help cure an old man who had been suffering from a speech impediment for years.

Chris, 73, of East Street, Helmshore, had produced the collection of both traditional and original verses to help raise money for local charities and good causes.

The former Lancashire Evening Telegraph journalist said: "I gave a copy to a friend in Sussex and later I learned that some of the poems had featured in a poetry reading attended by a speech therapist.

"She tried out the elocution piece on her patients and rang to say one old man who had stammered for years had been cured and that now the piece will be used regularly, which is most gratifying.

"It came as a complete surprise but it might help others who are suffering from speech impediments."

How Now, Brown Cow? was the latest book by Chris. Two years ago he published Smile, Please, which raised more than £300 for local charities.

In the same year he published The Water-spinners which describes the impact on the North of England of the water-driven cotton spinning machines that ushered in the factory system.

Chris has also published a book to celebrate Helmshore Local History Society's 50th birthday.

Just A Few Words: A Helmshore Boyhood recalled village life during the Second World War and was produced after he put together 50 years of thoughts and feelings of living in Helmshore.

He said: "I don't publish the books to make money, it's a hobby to keep my mind active and if it helps others at the same time then that's got to be a good thing.

"If anybody wants a copy of the book they can have it at cost price and all I ask is that a donation is made to a charity of their choice."