We are pleased today to tell the story of teenager Matthew Palframan, who has overcome the form of dyslexia he suffers from to win a place at a top Oxford college.

Matthew did not even begin to speak until he was three years old and had to have a learning support assistant write out his essays for him because his condition affects his handwriting and spelling so much.

His story is even more remarkable when we consider what is happening at the Airedale Hospital speech therapy service.

Cash problems have meant that hospital bosses have taken the decision to cut therapy treatment to all children over the age of five who have mild communication needs.

Responsibility for helping the children who will be discharged from the service will now fall to their schools and the education service will have to fund specialists to help the children.

Without the type of therapy and help offered by the Airedale unit perhaps Matthew Palframan would never have got to the level where he could not only pass his A-levels with flying colours but be accepted into one of the most demanding universities in the country.

Carol Youngs, policy director at the British Dyslexia Association, said dyslexic people learn differently and provided that their needs are met they can achieve high standards.

Even Matthew's parents had to battle against bureaucracy to help him achieve his dreams. If therapy to the standard it has previously been available is no longer accessible for youngsters, how much harder will it be for those who have the burden of dyslexia to fulfil their potential?