PRISON officers based at three jails in the North-East are setting off this month to take van-loads of food, clothing and other supplies to orphanages in Serbia.

It will be their 15th annual trip to deliver items to some of the neediest children in Europe.

The officers have been to Romania, Lithuania and Poland several times but this will be their first trip to Serbia.

It is being organised by officers at Deerbolt Young Offenders Institution at Barnard Castle, County Durham. They will be joined by others from Durham and Low Newton.

Senior Officer Tony Firby, of Deerbolt, said yesterday: "We intended to go to Romania again, but have heard that things are really desperate in Serbia, so we are going there.

"We have been gathering supplies for the past year, and our five big Transit vans will be completely packed. We have been given a list of orphanages that are desperate for help."

The officers will set off on Saturday, September 27, and will take turns at driving during the 3,500-mile round trip via Hull, Holland, Germany and Austria.

They have held regular events such as sponsored walks, bike rides and parachute jumps to cover their expenses and buy supplies to go with the donated items.