THREE police officers downed truncheons and picked up their badminton rackets to help orphans in Africa.

PCs Steve Norman and Phil Bird were joined by Inspector Mark Rhodes, from North Yorkshire Police, for a 24-hour badminton match to raise funds to build an orphanage in Ghana.

The marathon took place at the New Life Baptist Church, Northallerton, where all three officers are members.

The players took it in turns to play in the match, which started at 2pm on Friday, and finished at 2pm on Saturday.

PC Norman, who has travelled to the capital of Ghana, Accra, where the £40,000 orphanage will be built, said they had decided to take part in the match after learning about the poverty many families have to endure.

He said: "The poverty in the centre of Accra is horrendous, with a typical family of four living in cramped accommodation measuring approximately ten feet by eight feet. The cooking is done outside, and washing is over an open sewer. The orphaned children make a home for themselves anywhere they can find, and are never likely to find a home or education."

The fundraising project is run by the New Life Baptist Church, and aims to help on both fronts by offering a safe place to call home, as well providing food and education.

This is currently done from temporary premises, but the plan is to build a three-storey building to provide these and hospital facilities to more than 100 orphans aged between three and 15.