A former soap star from Radlett went deaf for the day to learn more about life with a hearing condition.

Pam St Clement, known for her role as Pat Butcher on BBC’s Eastenders, was keen to learn more about how to cope with day-to-day living without the sense.

The 71-year-old took on the challenge for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, a charity which trains dogs to alert their deaf owners about sounds including the doorbell and smoke alarms.

Speaking about her experience, she said: "It was hard. The obvious thing was the isolation, I felt as though I was in a bubble within myself. Approaching or speaking was not easy.

"I could not hear a lot of things. Being in a cafe was difficult, I could lip read when it was one person to concentrate on but when it was two people, I lost half the conversation.

"That sort of concentration is very exhausting."

After the day, she met Stephen Taylor and his hearing dog, Echo, to discuss her experience.

Having seen first-hand how challenging being deaf can be, she is now encouraging people to donate to the charity to enable more dogs to be trained.

She added: "Having been deaf for the day, I realised how many challenges they face. But I can see the comfort and support Stephen gets from his dog.

"Help this charity create more of these life-changing partnerships by making a donation today."

To donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/deaffortheday.