THE revolutionary course which helped Pop Idol Gareth Gates beat his stammer is coming to Swindon today.

The McGuire Programme has helped thousands of people overcome the debilitating effects of stammering. The British Stammering Association estimated that 1,800 people in Swindon suffer from the problem and around 480,000 adults and 200,000 children nationally.

Now recovering stammerer Richard Whincup, who teaches at Cirencester's Kingshill School, is bringing the course to Swindon. Richard, 23, developed a stammer as a toddler.

It wasn't until he discovered the McGuire Programme four years ago that he finally beat his speech impediment through a combination of breathing techniques and personal support.

His stammer had a devastating effect on his life. Simple tasks, such as buying a sandwich or a bus ticket, became a nightmare.

Once he conquered it, Richard vowed to help other people do the same.

A two-day refresher course for people who have already been through the programme is being held at the Thistle Hotel in Fleming Way, Swindon starting on Saturday.

Anyone who hasn't been on the programme before can attend an introductory course starting at 3pm on Sunday.

For further details contact Richard at rich@richwhincup.com. Or call McGuire's regional director, Matt Wilton, on 0800 917 6579.