A GROUP of students is going to spend Christmas in India helping orphans.

Five girls from the lower sixth of St Bede's RC Comprehensive School, in Lanchester, will spend their holidays at the Russ Foundation Girls' Home near Madurai, Tamil Nadu, South India.

The home provides for the needs and education of girls aged from four to 18.

Margaret Arthurs, who helped organise the trip, said: "They saw the information about the opportunity and were inspired.

"They wanted to do something to make a difference and they recognise this will be the opportunity of a lifetime.

"They are a little apprehensive about missing Christmas but are very excited."

The girls taking part in the trip are Emma McKenna, Rachael Bunney and Kate Startup, from Lanchester, Laura Bell, from Shotley Bridge, and Danielle Largue, from Flint Hill.

The project started in 2000 when a group of students from St Bede's went to work at the home.

In 2003, a group from Prudhoe Community College did similar work and raised £3,000 towards the cost of a bus.

The next group leaves on December 13 and returns on January 4.

The Russ Foundation provides primary health care in the local villages and the girls will accompany nurses to the villages, checking for vitamin A deficiency, which leads to blindness.

The girls will be joined by Jean Huntley, from St Bede's, and Brenda Craik, a former member of staff who has worked at the home during holiday time for more than 20 years, and who is leading the group. To support the work, contact Kathleen James at St Bede's on (01207) 520424.