MORE than 250 artificial limbs were loaded on to a lorry bound for Romania yesterday.

The unusual cargo - donated by Middlesbrough General Hospital - will be taken to the poverty-hit city of Lasi in a 32-tonne vehicle, along with other supplies.

Rod Jones, of Convoy Aid, which makes numerous mercy missions to the east European country each year, said the limbs were desperately needed.

"The legs are going to a new unit set up for dismantling them and adapting them to fit other people," he said.

The trip was made possible by Teodora Heads, 24, who moved from Romania to Hartlepool four years ago and set up a hairdressing business. She has given Convoy Aid, based at the Portrack Industrial Estate in Stockton, the trailer which will be used for the journey.

She said: "I have been very fortunate all the time. I feel for the guys who haven't got the chance that I had, and want to help them."