CHURCH communities in Huddersfield are being urged to drop a coin in a jar when they say grace, to help malnourished children in the world.

The United Nations Children's Fund UNICEF has launched its Jar of Grace appeal to help end the suffering of millions of children.

Last year churches across Yorkshire raised thousands of pounds for UNICEF's water and sanitation projects across the world and helped build 900 wells to serve more than 225,000 people.

Money raise by this year's appeal, which runs until June next year, will provide emergency therapeutic supplies, vitamin A supplements and resources for mobile feeding centres.

Funds will also be used to support child care centres that educate communities about malnutrition, giving people the tools to tackle the problem themselves.

Louis Coles, regional fundraising manager for Yorkshire said more than half of all child deaths each year occurred because of malnutrition.

But he said therapeutic feeding could transform a child from being frail and hopeless to looking strong and ready to face the world.

"It's a joy to see a life turned around - and all for the cost of a pound in someone's Jar of Grace" , he said.

A Jar of Grace pack can be ordered by phoning 0870 6063377 or visiting www.unicef.org.uk