HEARING dogs have proved to be a woman's best friend for one Broadway resident.

Villager Merleen Watson and her own hearing dog Grace have been nominated for the Volunteer of the Year Award at this year's annual Hearing Dogs Awards.

The 67-year-old, who first lost her hearing 35-years-ago, is now profoundly deaf.

But three years ago Ms Watson, who learnt to rely on lip reading to communicate with others, made the decision to volunteer for Hearing Dogs, and she says it has given her a new lease of life.

Ms Watson now speaks to groups of people about the work of the charity in the local community and helps to organise fundraising events, raising more than £3,000 in the last year alone.

The volunteering has had a huge impact on her life, helping her to rebuild the confidence she lost through hearing loss.

"Deafness makes you feel less valuable as a person, but volunteering for Hearing Dogs gets me out into the local community," said Ms Watson. "I can use the skills that I’ve developed over a long period of work for a good cause, and meet new people at the same time."

Last year, Ms Watson's life was enriched further when she received her hearing dog Grace, a black Cocker Spaniel who now accompanies her to all her talks and events.

"When I lost my hearing my self-esteem plummeted, but Grace has transformed all that," she added. "Volunteering for Hearing Dogs has hugely helped with my confidence, and now that I have Grace I feel so much more self-assured when I’m out and about at the shops.

"People love meeting Grace, she is a very special girl. She is life-changing to me, and a friend to all those who meet her."

National charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is hosting the glittering awards ceremony, which will be attended by the charity’s patron, Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, along with a host of celebrity supporters on Wednesday, October 8, in Central London.

For more information visit hearingdogs.org.uk.