THE work of a Cotswold charity that keeps alive the idea of beating swords into ploughshares will be highlighted by Comic Relief on Sunday.

APT Enterprise Development, which has been based near Blockley for more than 20 years, is also launching a new appeal to help communities in Sri Lanka devastated by the tsunami disaster.

One of its current projects in Sierra Leone was visited recently by Kevin Whately and Jimmy Nail, stars of TV's Auf Weidersein Pet, as part of Comic Relief's Great Big Celebrity Red Nose Jobs.

Speaking from the site of the charity's African project, Mr Whately said: "We hope to build four clay forges in a blacksmith's shop, which will melt rusty old guns and rocket launchers collected from the rebels after the war, and beat them into sickles, hoes and rakes. These can be used to clear an acre of jungle and scrub just across the road, till it and plant a vegetable garden.

"Jimmy had been to a government compound yesterday afternoon to pick up a truckload of rusting weapons seized after the war. These are made of the finest light steel and are ideal to transform into hand implements for farming and gardening.

"The under-fives have ready smiles, which light up their faces, but we can see the war experience etched on everyone else. There is a shadow on their faces, a solemnity or a slight sadness in the eye if they do smile. Looking around the little compound with its pleasant garden, you are jolted into reality by a ragged poster near the door warning the children not to pick up old mortars or grenades."

The charity's latest project has been set up in response to the tsunami disaster.

APT Enterprise Development spokeswoman Liz Chard said money was being raised to buy equipment and provide training to give stricken communities the means to help themselves in the future. "We're not involved in emergency relief," she said, "but in helping communities rebuild their lives and local economies for the future.

"Firstly, and immediately, we need to help local suppliers meet the needs of the worst hit districts, to kick start self help and self reliance.

"This will help the Sri Lankan economy to be self-reliant again more quickly, and enable the communities to be more involved in the rehabilitation process rather than passive recipients of foreign assistance."

Donations should be sent to APT Enterprise Development at FREEPOST SWC0124, Moreton, GL56 9BR

The charity's work in Sierra Leone will be highlighted on BBC1 at 6.35pm on Sunday.