THE road from Kidderminster to Calcutta is not a well-trodden one but it has been travelled by a history student fulfilling a childhood dream to follow in Mother Theresa's footsteps.

Nineteen-year-old Verity Worthington has taken a year out from her studies at Homerton College, Cambridge to spend four months in an Indian city she describes as "dirty, overpopulated and filled with disease, noise and chaos."

But the big-hearted philanthropist, who has lived all her life in the relatively sheltered sanctuary of St John's Avenue, is determined to help the destitute of one of India's most notorious cities, recently renamed Kolkata.

"It's something I've always wanted to do," explained Verity, who attended St John's First and Middle schools, and Holy Trinity school, all in Kidderminster.

She added: "I'm here volunteering with the Missionaries of Charity - the order set up by Mother Theresa.

"The Motherhouse, where I'm based, is an oasis of tranquillity.

"The sisters are wonderful people, and the spirit of Mother Theresa is very much alive: she is never referred to in the past tense."

Verity's day starts at 5am, when she emerges from her mosquito net for mass and then breakfast with the sisters.

She works at a children's home, 'Shishu Bhavan' in the morning and a home for the dying, 'Nirmal Hirday,' in the afternoon.

"The children at Shishu Bhavan are desperate for love and affection. There are four or five in a cot so each one is craving some personal attention," said Verity.

"Once as I was leaving work a lady handed me her newborn child to take in to the home.

"There was sadness and despair in her eyes as I carried the bundle away.

"It was a girl - which in India means the burden of a dowry."

She continued: "Some volunteers pick up the dying and bring them to Nirmal Hirday.

" These people are maggot- and flea-ridden, battered and malnourished.

"While we clean the wounds, bathe and give medication, the most important aspect of our work is to sit with the patients, to hold their hands, to let them know that they are cared about and are not alone."

Despite the dirt and despair, Verity is relishing Christmas in Calcutta. "How amazing to be here, away from the material culture of the West.

On Christmas Day we will distribute food parcels to local families and have parties at the homes."

And she is philosophical about what she and other volunteers can achieve. "In the words of Mother Theresa, 'We can do no great things, only small things with great love."

Verity's mother Linda admitted she wasn't keen on her daughter's trip at first. "But she's coped with it well.

"She's come across things that few people her age have."

Mrs Worthington added: "This is the first Christmas she's hasn't been here and we're going to miss her, and I think she'll be missing good food, hygiene and fresh air!"

Anyone interested in volunteering should write to: Sr Nirmala Maria MC, The Motherhouse, 54a AJC Bose Road, Calcutta 700016, West Bengal, India.