CHILDREN at a Kenyan school have a new classroom - thanks to Huddersfield Rugby Union Football Club.

A chance meeting by vice-president Philip Davies led to links which will benefit African children for years to come.

Mr Davies is now keen that a Huddersfield school should become involved with the primary school to foster friendships and educational links.

"I think it would be good for local youngsters to know there are parts of the world where children live in such poverty and have virtually nothing," said Mr Davies, who visited Kenya last February.

"Children from a local school could learn much from their way of life and, in turn, the children in Ukunda, Kenya, could learn more about the British way of life."

Mr Davies was with friends and their wives from the rugby club who spent 16 days holidaying in Kenya.

The trip was organised by club member Bob Lumley, who served with the Kenyan police between 1955 and 1976.

During a chat with a woman shop assistant at the Leopard Beach Hotel in Ukunda, which is near Mombasa, Mr Davies asked about helping a local school.

She put him in touch with Wilson Rumari, the headteacher of the Heman Primary School.

The school was started in 2000 for orphans and single-parent families who can't afford government schools. All the teachers are volunteers.

Donations and fundraising in Huddersfield over the past few months have provided a new classroom and 20 desks.

The total cost was only around £700, as materials and labour costs are relatively cheap.

The project was made possible with the help of architect Richard Woodall, who lives in Ukunda and whose family are originally from Penistone. He knows Mr Davies.

A plaque on the door of the new classroom says it was built with donations from members of the rugby club.

* Any local school which is interested in linking up with the Heman school should phone Mr Davies on 01484 423825.