KIND-hearted youngsters at a Worcester school have gone on a trip to Thailand to help children at an orphanage.

Nineteen year 10 pupils from Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, Timberdine Avenue, will spend nine days at the Pattaya Orphanage, which provides a home and education to 180 orphaned and abandoned children and babies. They will teach English and play games with the youngsters.

Headteacher Sean Devlin said: "The orphaned children and babies just love to have extra contact. It's a great institution, but the children are desperate for the extra contact."

Mr Devlin said the trip, now in its third year, was a wonderful opportunity for the students. "I think it makes them aware of how lucky they are to be loved and to be physically cared for and not to have disabilities," he said.

He said each year the students write diaries about their experiences. "Quite a few have said that despite the challenges and problems the children face, they are so happy and upbeat.

"One of the things mentioned in quite a few diaries is that this experience changes their perspective of life and what's important."

During the trip, which has been paid for by the children and their parents, they will hand over £3,148, which has been collected through school fund-raising events, such as a fashion show and non-uniform day.

Mr Devlin praised the efforts of deputy principal Mary Amphlett, for being the "major driving force" behind the initiative.

He also thanked 15-year-old pupil Charlie Barrett and his mum Fiona Barrett, who raised £1,000 for the orphanage at a charity barbecue and auction.

The orphanage, run by the Catholic Pattaya Orphanage Trust, also cares for street children and deaf, blind and disabled youngsters.

The trip started yesterday.