Two students are preparing to spend part of their summer holiday caring for poor and sick children from the worst slums in Cambodia.

Esther Bainbridge and Naomi Sumner, both aged 20, will set off from Barnard Castle, Co Durham, next month to work hard for a fortnight in Phnom Penh.

They will look after young HIV victims and paint a hospice during the first week and then help disabled children to enjoy their first beach holiday on the second.

Esther, of Newsham near Barnard Castle, said yesterday, "We have been told it will be really strenuous work, but we are looking forward to it.

"We will help unfortunate children, but it will also be a great adventure."

Naomi, of Thorngate, Barnard Castle, said, "We have had to raise £800 each for our fares and other expenses, but it will all be worth it if we can do some good for the impoverished young ones."

The pair are both studying at Liverpool University and will be joined by other students from there on the project.

They still have to raise another £220 each to be spent on the Cambodian children, so they are holding a coffee morning at Barnard Castle Methodist Church on Saturday, July 24 from 10am to noon.

They will be flying from Heathrow to Bangkok on August 18.