Charity's Sri Lanka schools plan

Save The Children Isle of Man hopes to raise enough money in the New Year to build two schools in Sri Lanka.

It needs to raise £15,000 itself and hopes the government's Overseas Aid Committee will match that figure.

Currently the children in Vavuniya, in the north of the island, are taught in a single room with 3ft high walls and no roof.

Hugh Davidson, vice chairman, said children often had to fight off animals that would interfere with lessons.

He added: "We had a number of criteria - we wanted to work in an island and if possible English would be spoken so we could link it in with local schools."

"We looked at 40 islands - we agreed that Sri Lanka would be the best one.

"We asked Save the Children for projects and this was one they felt was most needed."