A COLLEGE is sending 150 unwanted computers to one of the poorest places in the world, to help orphaned and ill children.

Prior Pursglove College in Guisborough is donating the computers to the authorities in part of South Africa where there is only one computer to each 1,000 students.

The Qwa Qwa district is blighted by Aids, HIV and TB and thousands of children are orphans.

College principal Stephen White said: "We are in a very fortunate position of having state-of-the-art computer facilities and can replace our stock from time to time to keep pace with all the changes in the field of communications information technology.

"These computers have become surplus to requirements and they have been replaced by more modern equipment."

This morning, the computers will be handed over to Lisa Sinclair, a director of a Saltburn constancy company which has worked with the authorities in the Qwa Qwa distract.

She said: "Having visited the district of Qwa Qwa many times I know only too well that there is a desperate need for help and support to assist young people and adults to meet the demands of the 21st Century.

"Communications technology has tremendous implications for development in this part of the world."

The Stockton branch of couriers DHL has provided free transport of the computers to Hull, from where they will be shipped to Africa.