A TEAM of quiz experts who conquered on some of TV's top brains have donated their £9,000 winnings to feed underprivileged children in Africa.

Ramsbottom Soroptimists appeared on BBC2 show Eggheads last year and beat the show's resident boffins to win the jackpot.

They immediately pledged to give the money to good causes and have now partnered with charity Mary's Meals to provide one meal per day to encourage children in Malawi to go to school.

Their donation will ensure that all 450 children at Domomo Primary School, in the north of the country, will be fed for an entire year.

The team was comprised of the group’s president, Ann Bennett, her daughter Sharon Hargreaves, Anne Cheetham, Barbara Hulmes, Sue Unsworth, and reserve member Margaret Baker.

Mrs Bennett, of Greenheys Crescent, Greenmount, said: "Education really is everything in Africa and Mary's Meals do a lot of important work encouraging children to go to school by providing them with meals.

"A lot of families there can't afford to feed their children and this is a way out of poverty.

"It's a fantastic charity and we were delighted when we found out which school we had been matched with."

The club is part of an international organisation which has bases around the world and works to improve the lives of women.

Mrs Bennett is now hoping to travel to Malawi next year to see first hand the difference their donation has made.

The 65-year-old added: "I'm hoping to go out there for a visit next year. We are already starting to plan the trip and we're not quite sure how we'll get up into the north of Malawi, but I'm really looking forward to going and seeing where our money is being used."

The school's headteacher, Abel Simfukwe, said: "The programme has helped our learners in the following ways: enrolment has improved, it has reduced hunger from learners, attendance has significantly improved and children are now looking healthy and strong.

"Parents are actively sending their children to school because of the porridge. Interest among learners has been boosted and even those who had no interest or ambition are coming to school. Children are performing well in class and are active. I thank Mary’s Meals and the donors for the support and their commitment for the food supplies, and I ask God to bless the organisation."