It has no running water and no toilets, but children in an impoverished African state are flocking to a primitive nursery set up by a Bradford woman.

Hildred Helm, 49, of Dene Hill, Baildon, has just set up The Children of Gambia nursery for children aged three to seven years old, and is planning to start another shortly.

Already 83 children have attended in the first week and she hopes that eventually it will accommodate as many as 200.

Hildred, who left Clayton Middle School at 14 with no qualifications, is determined to give the children of Manjai Kunda a brighter future. The school's motto is 'Education is Wealth'.

She has devoted herself to voluntary work for the past 17 years and says she would love to live permanently in The Gambia.

"We took over the premises of a school and set about establishing a much-needed nursery which now has seven classrooms and a range of educational equipment and toys. We have a headmaster for it, James Conti, and four teachers all of whom are unpaid volunteers.

"I was so proud when we opened it because the people of Bradford have contributed so much. Without their generosity it would not have happened. The schools have supplied chairs and teaching aids, while people have given toys, jumpers and even football kits. There's no comparison between nurseries in Britain and over here. Over here it is like setting up a nursery in your garage as they have no facilities.

"What we are desperate for is for people to come over from Britain on a self-funding basis to help."

A recently registered charity, The Children of Gambia, is also anxious to find storage space for all the donated toys and gifts. Anyone who can help should contact its secretary Dee Booth on 01274 548389.