A GUARLFORD teenager working with children in Sri Lanka is appealing for help to improve facilites at a pre-school there.

Lizzie Fellows was touched by the plight of poor pupils at the nursery run by the Young Women's Christian Association.

Parents send their children to the pre-school to give them a chance to earn a living and many cannot afford to pay.

Miss Fellows is appealing for donations to paint the building, repair the guttering and buy tables and chairs.

She said: "It's very run down and in desperate need of redecoration, so that the children can have a bright and cheerful environment in which to learn and play.

"However, the organisation running the school does not have the funds, as it will cost 25,000 rupees, approximately £170."

The 18-year-old, who will take up a place at Leeds University to study history and philosophy of science with philosophy in September, is nearing the end of a three-month stay in Sri Lanka working for an eco-tourism group called Woodlands Network.

She chose the placement because she wants to pursue a career in environmental matters.

"Sri Lanka attracted me as I wanted to travel out of Europe," said Miss Fellows. "The country is absolutely beautiful."

To make a donation, email info@woodlandsnetwork. org, call 0094 5732668 or fax 0094 5732328.