A GIANT puppet will be used to teach babies to speak with their hands when new baby sign language classes gets underway.

Sandra Hilliard, mum of seven-month-old Joseph, is setting up her own classes and has the help of Dexter, a signing puppet, who through songs, rhymes and games will teach babies how to say everything from milk to sleep.

Sandra, of Ramsgreave Road, Blackburn, who worked for the NHS Urgent Support Service based in Burnley, said: “I joined a class mainly as a way to get out and about but also as a way to teach Joseph how to express his needs before he could talk.

The first Talkfirst class is on March 4 in Livesey Children’s Centre, Blackburn, at 9.30am, 10.30am and 11.30am.

Parents can contact Sandra on 0797 998 4396 or email Sandra@talkfirst.net.