BIG-HEARTED East Lancashire residents have been drinking coffee to help provide breakfast for deprived South Africa children.

The gesture has been led by Kate Harbour, who used to work for Burnley MP Peter Pike, who was moved by his account of a visit to an orphanage in the country.

Kate, who covered maternity leave in Mr Pike's office until last month, decided to act after hearing of his visit last year.

She now plans to visit the orphanage during a round-the-world trip that will take in South Africa.

She held a coffee morning in Padiham Youth Centre last week to raise money for the centre, similar to an event held by churchgoers in Garstang inspired after a speech by Mr Pike before a methodist audience at Blackburn Cathedral.

The Burnley MP recounted his experience of visiting Asithe House, an orphanage run by local woman Amy Coetzee, which also provides breakfast to several hundred children, in many cases providing their only meal of the day.

He was also the special guest at last week's fundraising coffee morning in Padiham.

He said: "It is difficult in this job - both for myself and my staff - not to be touched by some of the cases we deal with.

"Kate became interested with her impending visit to South Africa and because a church, not in my constituency, had been motivated by the account of my visit to raise money to support their work.

"They raised over £300, which is incredible, but in South African currency is worth more than ten times that amount in terms of what they will be able to do with it.

"It was a very moving part of my visit to South Africa and Amy and her family were incredibly warm and enthusiastic.

"Far from being overwhelmed by the task of making breakfast for so many children they relished the challenge and believed it was their duty to help these children."