WHEN a child speaks for the first time it is a moment parents treasure.

But for two Gosport mothers it has been a long wait to hear their daughters' voices and one they are fighting to end.

Sara Brown and Alyssa Randall are both unable to speak because of brain conditions but their mothers hope that swimming with dolphins could change that.

Pioneered by doctors in America, it has been discovered that interaction with dolphins can help improve the attention span and with this the speech abilities of children with disabilities.

The mums have teamed up to raise the £6,000 each child needs to attend the Dolphin Human Therapy Clinic in Key Largo, Florida.

Nickki Brown, 31, has plenty of affection from her daughter Sara but says she longs to know what she is thinking. "I think finding her voice would give a better quality to her life and let her make choices. It would be nice for her to be able to tell you what she wants to eat, or if she is happy."

Sara, four, was born with cerebral palsy, and along with Alyssa, three, who has microcephaly, suffers from epileptic seizures as a result. Both girls, who go to St Francis Special School in Fareham, are well known by Gosport ambulance staff, who are keen to help out. Gosport firefighters and Woolworths are also helping to raise the money the mothers need.

Nickki, of The Anchorage, New-town, says both she and Alyssa's mum Sally Randall, 33, of Woodlands Close, Rowner, are being realistic.

"We can say we have tried even if it does not work. They both love water anyway, so they will enjoy it.

"We're not going with any high hopes but if we come back and the girls can communicate slightly better than now that would be fantastic."

Anyone who would like to help can contact Miss Brown on 023 9242 8653.