School pupils could soon be learning sign language in a bid to improve communication with the hard of hearing.

Oxfordshire County Council's learning and culture culture scrutiny committee has voted to explore the possibility of pupils in the county learning the standard manual alphabet.

Teachers' representatives will be consulted on practical issues involved in the project and the committee has asked the Government to fund a pilot scheme to teach British Sign Language in schools.

The idea is the brainchild of Brian Hodgson, leader of the council's Labour group.

He said: "This basic finger spelling alphabet is easy to learn and can improve communication skills in general.

"Its main advantage would, of course, be to encourage better interaction with people who are deaf or hard of hearing, but signing can also be a lot of fun."