A container filled with toys, books and clothes is set to leave a Melksham warehouse destined for an orphanage, north of Zimbabwe’s capital city Harare.

The 20-foot long container is filled with goods collected from across the country and is currently being stored at book manufacturers, CPI Anthony Rowe Ltd in Pegasus Way, Bowerhill.

Ken Webb, who lives in Lacock and works in the publishing industry, said he approached the firm to ask if they would store the goods at their warehouse as a favour for a family friend, who is a nurse at Montgomery Heights Orphanage in the African country.

Mr Webb said: “It was extremely kind of them and we are very grateful as it was done completely as a favour.

“I asked them if they would store the goods in the warehouse.”

The container is due to leave the firm for Africa within the next couple of weeks.

The orphanage, which is around an hour’s drive from Harare, is registered with the Department for Social Welfare to house up to 60 children from birth to 18 years of age.

For many of the children it is the only home they know and they often keep in contact and come back to visit in later years.