SPEECH and language therapists in and around Southampton have won a royal seal of approval and shown they're among the best in the country.

Staff in the speech and language therapy service, run by Southampton Community Health Services NHS Trust, have been awarded their profession's official stamp of excellence.

And theirs is the first NHS speech and language therapy service in the country to have won accreditation since the scheme started in 1997.

Judges from the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists have granted the service its Signed Up to Quality award.

Manager Jane Richardson said: "Our staff have done a fantastic job. It's a great boost to staff, but most of all it reassures our patients and clients that they're getting an outstanding speech and language therapy service."

Forty-five therapists work across Hampshire with people of all ages including stroke and road accident victims.