A STUDENT nurse who suffered a stammer from childhood has changed his life, thanks to a new programme that helped him beat his affliction.

Now, Robert Boyle, 28, of Elmridge, Leigh, is planning to promote the Maguire Programme at an open day in Liverpool's Central Library in July.

Robert, a graduate in geology from Aberdeen University, said having a stammer has caused him all sorts of problems throughout his life, including being bullied at school and disastrous job interviews.

His social life also suffered, as the embarrassment of his stammer forced Robert to stay indoors rather than go out having fun like his friends.

He said: " I graduated from university in 1995 but felt my stammer was holding me back from getting a job that I wanted. In the end, I took work unloading vehicles for Marks and Spencer as it meant I didn't have to speak very much. While I was there, I became a first aider and decided I wanted to get into nursing."

But without the ability to communicate quickly and clearly, Robert thought he had no chance. He said: "It was very frustrating and upsetting. I had seen a NHS speech therapist but it hadn't really worked and I knew I had to do something."

Robert paid £600 to go on the four-day Maguire Programme and said the change was almost instant.

The course showed Robert how to overcome his stammer by adopting the costal breathing technique, which means breathing through the costal diaphragm, the same diaphragm that you use when yawning. After completing the course and attending some others, Robert's stammer has almost disappeared.

He has found the confidence to enrol as a student nurse at John Moores University in Liverpool, and is enjoying his new life stammer free.

He said: " It has made a huge amount of difference and I am finally starting to enjoy my life. It means a lot to my family to see the change in me, and to my friends. I am looking forward to promoting the Maguire programme in Liverpool and educating other stammer sufferers that something can be done."

l Robert will be at The Central Library on William Brown Street, Liverpool on July 7 at 1.30 pm. The Maguire Course costs £600 and embers can then attend other courses free.