CRAFTSMEN from Ludlow are to make a 1,700 mile journey to Romania as part of an errand of mercy to help children in an orphanage.

The group will make a four day overland trip to Transylvania in a van with children’s clothes on board to supply an orphanage in desperate need.

The clothes, which came from the former Woolworths shop in Ludlow before it closed down, will be transported through eight different countries before arriving at their destination.

“These will be going to the orphanage and will be gratefully received,” said Colin Richards, a former conservation officer with Shropshire Council who is leading the trip.

The orphanage is in the village of Dacia near to where the team from Ludlow is working and is home to 70 boys and girls from infants to teenagers.

Mr Richards said that there is great poverty in the area and that the orphanage provides vital care for the youngsters.

“There is a huge desire from people in Ludlow to help people less well off than themselves and repairing the buildings is great but we also want to do what we can to help the people,” he said.

Mr Richards will not be travelling with the team as a recent accident left him with a broken arm and so he will be taking the faster and more comfortable alternative of flying.

There has been a link between south Shropshire and Transylvania for many years with craftsmen and women making the journey twice a year to work on the repair and renewal of historic stone buildings including churches, castles and homes.

They have also been helping to repair farm houses, bridges and stone kilns that form an important part in the economy of the area.

Ludlow based skills are put to good use in an area that has been designated as a World Heritage Site because of its buildings including fortified churches that date back to the 16th century.

As well as providing valuable expertise and skills it is also an opportunity for craftsmen from Ludlow to learn new skills and gather valuable experience.

An important part of the visits is providing training to workers in Romania so that they can play an increasingly important role in the future repair and restoration work.

It was in 1996 that Mr Richards established the link with Romania and since then more than 100 craftsmen and women from south Shropshire have had the chance to work in Transylvania.

They have shared their skills with local people in the Saxon villages around the ancient citadel fortress of Sighi?oara, restoring farmhouses, ancient churches, and bridges and constructing brick and tile kilns to set up sustainable craft industries.

In future the link will not only continue but be cemented by a building that can be used as a base in Transylvania by volunteers from Ludlow when they make their visits to the area.

It is not only craft skills and clothes that have been provided by south Shropshire to Romania. In 2012 a fleet of 10 old fire engines were sent out to the area where the repair and renewal work is taking place.