A GROUP of students are pulling together to raise cash for Romanian orphans.

Students and lecturers from Newcastle University's School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, will haul a tractor more than nine miles, from Tynemouth to Grey's Monument in the city, on February 1.

They aim to raise money for a charity farm project which is carrying on the work started by TV's Challenge Anneka programme 12 years ago, when Anneka Rice sent volunteers to refurbish a Romanian orphanage.

The orphanage is now closed, but many former residents are so institutionalised that they are not able to become integrated into society.

The farm offers them work experience and, when fully operational, will produce crops for sale under the expert guidance of a university-appointed farm manager and Newcastle students, who are encouraged to visit the farm as part of their studies.