A DEAF woman has been urging people to consider wearing ‘clear’ face masks so she can lip read when they talk to her.

Gaynor Tilby from Millom said she hopes the clear face masks for NHS staff will make a big difference to people like her.

Her plea comes as the government ordered 250,000 clear masks for front line NHS workers.

Mrs Tilby said: "These masks will help workers communicate with those who have conditions like dementia.

“I rely completely on lip reading. For me the wearing of face masks during Covid has been a huge challenge, because I haven’t been able to read what people have been saying to me, particularly in shops and in restaurants where I haven’t been able to understand what’s been said.”

Mrs Tilby thinks the number of mask being issued is not near enough.

She said:” The issuing of 250,000 clear masks produced for the front line, is a positive step.

"Situations when you need medical support are stressful anyway, and the thought of not being able to communicate and understand; brings a whole new level of anxiety. So for me 250,000 masks does sound a lot, but they will be used up quite quickly."

Mrs Tilby said she has used the clear masks with her husband in her day to day life since pandemic struck and hopes private companies will make them cheaper. She Said:” I still hope that this government initiative raises awareness in the private sector of the challenges of wearing of masks, where you cannot see peoples lips. For myself and my husband we have both bought clear masks so I can lip read what he is saying to me.

Online retailers found that visible face coverings and clear window washable masks were selling for £8.99.