A FORMER nursery nurse who gave up work to look after children orphaned by the tsunami on Boxing Day 2004 has returned home.

Sally Marshall, of Front Street, Craghead, Stanley, has been in Sri Lanka for 15 months.

She has been teaching youngsters art, crafts and drama and living in an orphanage.

During that time, Miss Marshall has been home twice for short periods, to raise funds, but now she is home for good.

She said: "I have changed so much since going there and I am a much better person.

"Leaving the children was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.

"They show me so much love and called me Akka, which means big sister and is a term of great respect.

"There will always be a piece of my heart in Sri Lanka."

She plans to keep Sally's Sri Lankan Children's Fund going, to support projects in south-east Asia.