A REMOTE village in Sri Lanka could soon have a new water pump - thanks to hungry Holme Valley teenagers.

Claire Drury, 13, of Kemps Way, Hepworth, was determined to help villagers in Kotavehera in the north-west of the island after she visited them with her family in March.

So she and some schoolfriends went on a sponsored 24-hour fast.

Claire, her mum Diane, 40, dad Paul, 44, and sister Kate, 10, travelled to the isolated region to visit seven-year-old Harshani, a child they have been sponsoring for more than five years.

Diane said: "We had to travel for quite a long time over rough terrain to get to the village.

"It is out in the middle of nowhere. They didn't speak English either - so it was difficult to communicate.

"We did have a translator, though, and we managed to learn a lot about how they lived. They told us they needed a pump to water their crops when the weather was very dry.

"They were talking as if this would cost them a huge amount. But, when we asked, we found out it would be the equivalent of about £500."

When the family got back, Claire decided to try and raise the cash for the family, whose average monthly income is just £5.

Claire, Kate and 13-year-old Holmfirth High School pals Anna Hellawell, Beth Alexander, Shonagh Thomson, Rebecca Lowe and Kim Western hatched the plan for a fast.

Paul said: "We hope the girls' efforts will help to provide the £500.

We are very proud of them."

A spokeswoman for the World Vision charity, which runs the sponsorship, said: "This is brilliant. We are delighted the girls went without food for a day to help others.

"Their efforts will go towards changing the lives of the villagers. It will make a huge difference to a lot of people."

SRI LANKA factfile

* Sri Lanka is home to lots of exotic wildlife, including elephants and leopards.

* The island has many nicknames, including Serendib, Ceylon, Teardrop of India, Resplendent Isle, Island of Dharma and Pearl of the Orient.

* The population is 19m. Around 69% are Buddhists.

* Although the worst of Sri Lanka's civil war is over some areas are still dangerous.