TENS of thousands of books have been donated by people in the North-East to provide a library for a village in Kenya.

Darlington Rotary launched the appeal six months ago and has had three and a half tons of children's books donated.

Rotarian Peter Phillips, who is spearheading the project, said: "The response has been extraordinary, with tens of thousands of children’s books coming in.

"Individuals, organisations, schools and many others have been donating, mainly from Darlington but further afield too.

"Some come with a few in a carrier bag and others with boxes full. Their generosity has been amazing."

Darlington Rotary is working with the national charity Just Be A Child, based in Stevenage to provide the library in the village of Vingujini.

The charity works with communities in Kenya to establish an area for learning activities and sports days, and provides a library in a container, which comes with books, learning and arts and crafts materials.

The books are packed in boxes in a 40ft shipping container, which is shipped to Kenya and transported to the village, where it is unloaded, windows are cut out of the sides of the container, a door put in at the end and shelves fitted inside.

S G Petch car dealership in Darlington is providing space at their premises in McMullen Road to house the books.

Mr Phillips said: "We’re very grateful to S G Petch. People can still drop books in there or contact us through Twitter @DarlRotary or the Darlington Rotary Facebook page and we can arrange safe collection."

Mr Phillips can also be contacted at peter@neashamabbey.co.uk for further information or to arrange a collection.

The appeal will continue through to summer this year.