DEPRIVED children in Cambodia will receive vital aid as a Christian couple volunteer their time and skills.

Deborah Vine and her husband Michael, from Radcliffe, are returning to Phnom Penh - Cambodia's capital - next month.

They will work in Cambodian slums, building a home for villagers, and in three schools, training teachers and helping to resource classrooms.

Mrs Vine, aged 54, said: "The families in this area rely on scavenging on the tip to feed their families and the children pay an essential role in that. We are trying to break that cycle of poverty by educating the children.

"Phnom Penh is in a village of high incidence of HIV. The principle aim is to encourage children into school.

This is the couple's second annual trip, organised by Christian charity Mission Direct, which enables volunteers to travel and work alongside some of the world's poorest.

During their two-week visit, they will work closely with Mission Direct's partner Serve Cambodia.

Mr and Mrs Vine first heard about the project through friends at their home church, St Andrew's in Radcliffe, which supports Mission Direct.

Mr Vine, aged 61, said: "We joined our friends on a visit to Cambodia last year. We felt honoured to be able to use our skills in such a deprived country.

"We came home feeling extremely passionate about returning this year."

Development engineer Mr Vine will assist with a building project to create permanent homes for those living in the slums. One house costs around £6,500 to build.

He will also be training pastors from Serve Cambodia.

Meanwhile, learning mentor Mrs Vine, who is employed by Bury Council as an outreach worker in schools, will work alongside two teachers at Harvest of Hope school, and help set up an Early Years environment.

Other plans include visiting various projects such as Justees, who support at-risk young men in Cambodian slums by providing jobs and mentorship, and Daughters of Cambodia, a social enterprise empowering victims of sex trafficking to leave the industry by helping them into alternative employment.

Mr and Mrs Vine, who married in 1982 after meeting at their church youth group, are self-funding their visit.

They have appealed for help to cover the cost of project work as well as for toy donations to support the children they will meet.

They are specifically requesting donations of Playmobil or similar Small World toys, which can be dropped off at St Andrew's vicarage, in Radcliffe, M26 4HE.

To donate to their cause, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/michael-vine2.