A Hitchin man who set up a charity to support a school in Africa is calling for help after storms ripped the roof off the building. Charity secretary Mark Mardlin said The Roots Nursery School in The Gambia was badly damaged in high winds and torrential

A Hitchin man who set up a charity to support a school in Africa is calling for help after storms ripped the roof off the building.

Charity secretary Mark Mardlin said The Roots Nursery School in The Gambia was badly damaged in high winds and torrential rain and is in desperate need of repair.

"Fortunately the term had ended the day before so no children were hurt or endangered. We have lost a lot of school property such as teaching materials and school uniforms but can replace these in time. We currently need to raise funds for the repairs which we believe to be in excess of �1,000."

Headmaster Lamim Conteh said: "We are very sad for the damage to our building and the loss of books and teaching aids, but very grateful the children were not at school at the time."

To find out more and how to help, contact Mark on 07999 565288 or mark@rootsnurseryschool.org.uk