A NORTH-EAST motor retailer has given an early Christmas present to hundreds of schoolchildren in Africa.

Following an IT refreshment project, the Reg Vardy Group, which is based in Sunderland, has donated 50 computers and a number of printers to enhance the education of young people.

The equipment will benefit pupils in Saffier Primary School, in Cape Town, South Africa, and The Tanzania Book Project, which will place them in schools across the country.

Sunderland Rotary Club, which identified the projects in Africa and is arranging transportation, took delivery of the computers at Reg Vardy's Houghton House headquarters.

The machines, which have been cleaned and serviced by Sumlock Electronics (NE), a supplier of IT services to Reg Vardy, are being shipped to Africa this month so they can be installed in classrooms.

Harold Roberts, group IT manager at Reg Vardy, said: "We are delighted to be able to donate these computers to such a worthwhile cause in the knowledge that they will support the education of hundreds of schoolchildren.

"Computers play such a big part in today's modern world, and it is important that as many people as possible have access to technology such as the Internet and e-mail, which can be a great benefit to people's lives.

"By putting these computers to good use, everyone involved in this project hopes they can help provide a brighter future for the children who use them."