Bradford is getting ready for an uplifting visit by a Kenyan children's choir.

The Singing Children of Africa will tour the district raising funds to build an orphanage for youngsters who have lost parents, mainly to AIDS and malaria.

Bingley shopkeepers Beverley Ford and Kay Adams are among volunteers helping with the youngsters' Put a Little Love in Your Heart tour.

They have just returned from meeting the choir in their home village and saw preparations for the concerts which will be in Bradford, Bingley and Ilkley among a tour of UK towns.

Beverley and Kay support the Samson Chivatsi Children's Appeal (SCCA), which has built the primary school attended by the choir in Utange, close to the coastal city of Mombasa.

"Visiting was an incredible, emotional experience," said Beverley, who runs Shoobox in Chapel Lane.

"The children come from difficult backgrounds and some are orphans, but they are so happy when you meet them - and their singing is wonderful.

"When you're going about it's all 'Jambo! Jambo!', which means hello. It's a really friendly place, but very poor too."

Kay, owner of Kay Krafts, also in Chapel Lane, said the children had enjoyed the story-telling materials made by 1st Eldwick Brownies, which she runs.

"We've linked up with the children in Kenya. The Brownies sent letters about themselves and they're sponsoring an eight-year-old girl called Julia."

The eight-week tour starting in late August will take in Ben Rhydding Primary School, Ilkley Grammar School and All Saints' Church in Ilkley, Hollingwood Lane Primary School in Horton Bank, Bradford, Beckfoot School, in Bingley, and Addingham Primary School. The choir will sing in their native Swahili and English, performing western favourites and African songs.

They will perform in assemblies and spend time in class with Bradford children, along with evening performances.

Beverley said the trip would cost around £500 for each of the 25 choir members, and people can sponsor a child to help.

She is holding a 50th birthday party in April and is asking guests not to buy a present but to donate to the choir appeal.

She is also organising a fundraising masquerade ball at The Courtyard at the Tong Marriot hotel on Friday, October 6.

For information call Beverley on (01274) 563779 or e-mail shoobox@tiscali.co.uk

Sarah Turner, a fellow SCCA fundraiser from Bingley, also visited the choir and described them as "absolutely fantastic".

She is appealing for businesses to sponsor the trip, donate sleeping bags for the children and transport to the concerts. Call Sarah on (01274) 561979.