A Papcastle charity is holding a family fun day during half term to raise funds for a nursery school it supports in Africa.

Poverty Swap is organising various events to raise money to build three permanent classrooms at a nursery school in Ethiopia.

Helen Faulds, who runs the charity, said: “People in Cockermouth and West Cumbria helped us set up The Deborah Nursery in 2014 within a community where the children had no opportunity of accessing education.

“It now employs seven staff and 50 pre-school children have already achieved excellent results in early years education and many will now be able to access school. Most of them are children whose families have never been to school.

“Now the local education department is insisting three classrooms are needed by September to establish a more permanent facility. We are doing all that we can to develop the school.”

A fun day will be held on Tuesday, May 31, from 10am to 2pm at Christ Church, Sullart Street, Cockermouth.

There will be a bouncy castle, arts and crafts, face painting, competitions, games and a treasure hunt, story Telling, coffee and cake. Entry is £1.

Future events include a Superheroes Auction Party on Friday, June 10, 7.30pm in Christ Church.

“We have an army of people willing to offer promises, good deeds and services and during the event people can bid for something they would like, like a massage, garage clearance or babysitting,” said Helen.

Tickets are £5, including prosecco and strawberries, but those dressed as Superheroes can get in for free.

For more information about the charity go to www.povertyswap.com