BASIC medical equipment is desperately needed by a charitable Herefordshire group to send to its 'sister village' in Romania.

The Bodenham Romania Support Group is appealing for the equipment, including an autoclave for sterilising the items to help people living in Enlaka in the Transylvanian mountains.

The medical gear will enable the local doctor and a health visitor to improve health care of residents in the village.

The Bodenham group, which has been in existence since 1989, has assisted in several projects at Enlaka, including one to renovate an old building into a centre for elderly people.

The centre has various resources such as running water, a laundry, meals and bathing facilities.

Anyone who is able to donate medical items or knows where they could be bought cheaply should contact chairman Pat Horrigan on 01568 797044.