New technology has been developed at Bangor University to help Welsh speakers at risk of losing their voice.

The Lleisiwr programme allows people suffering from motor neurone disease or throat cancer to "bank" their voice and creates a personal synthetic voice for them.

One user, Mrs Roberts said: "Lleisiwr has been an asset to me as it means I can continue to communicate using a synthetic voice that sounds like me."

The device has been developed at Canolfan Bedwyr, the university's Welsh language service centre, with help from Welsh Government funding.

Gruffudd Prys, head of the language technologies unit, said: "It’s so important for these voices to be bilingual because we tend to switch back and forth between our languages throughout the day."

"I strongly believe you shouldn’t need to change your software every time you want to change your language."

“We want the standard of voice recordings to be the best it possibly can and are therefore very keen for patients to get in touch with us as soon as possible so we can develop the service. If a family member or friend of yours would benefit, do let them know.”

The innovation has been welcomed by former First Minister, Mark Drakeford, in his new role as Welsh Language Secretary.

He said: "Losing your voice is a devastating experience for people, and technological advances can help them to communicate again during this vulnerable time."

“Previously, voice banking was only available in English. I’m proud to support a project that enables people to continue to communicate with their friends and family in their own language."

The Welsh Government says technology forms a key element of its Cymraeg 2050 strategy, aiming to reach a million Welsh speakers by the middle of the century.

As part of this work, grants are allocated towards innovative projects which aim to increase people’s daily use of the language and to promote technology which supports the use of Welsh.