THE father of a young man who took his own life because he had a persistent stammer has praised Oscar-nominated film The King’s Speech for raising awareness of the disorder.

Colin Firth’s portrayal of Prince Albert – who later became King George VI – has won him a Golden Globe award for best actor and an Oscar nomination - announced today.

The highly acclaimed actor is up for best actor for his role as the stammering English monarch while Helena Bonham Carter is nominated for best supporting actress for her role as Queen Elizabeth in the film, set in Britain on the cusp of the Second World War.

Filmmaker Tom Hooper has been nominated for best director and the movie is also up for best picture.

Alan Barker – whose son Dominic died in 1994 aged just 26 – praised the film and said he hoped it would increase awareness of stammering.

He and his wife, Helen, who live in Holbrook, set up the Dominic Barker Trust – known as Dom’s Fund – in 1997 to fund research into the causes and relief of stammering.

Mr Barker was speaking following a special screening of The King’s Speech at the Riverside Theatre in Woodbridge.

He said: “The evening went very well. The cinema was full and many more people applied for tickets than places available.

“It is a superbly made film and has raised awareness about stammering.”