FORGET getting by on a mere phrase book, a group of volunteers has been getting back to the class room to make sure its Russian rolls off the tongue.

For the past few months parishioners from Stockton Heath Methodist Church have been taking weekly lessons before embarking on a trip to renovate a Russian orphanage in August.

Kate Potts, a fitness lecturer at Warrington Collegiate, who is taking part in the trip together with her husband have been two of the volunteers learning the lingo.

She said: "It's not like French, it's been quite a difficult language to get to grips with but we are all getting there. I just hope we will be able to get by with it when we are out in Russia!"

In addition to learning about Tula, the tiny village where the orphans live, they have been helping to raise almost £20,000 to fund the voluntary venture.

During the trip, the group will be replacing broken toilets, painting and decorating, helping to install a new plumbing system and general repairs.

"The children there have had extremely difficult and tough lives.

"Many have been abused by those previously in charge of the orphanage and forced into prostitution, so we are planning to use all the money raised to give them better lives and refurbish the dilapidated building," added Mrs Potts.

Together with 26 other parishioners, they will spend two weeks supporting and improving the orphanage.

"It has no proper sanitary system, the toilets are holes in the floor and it was used as a brothel until recently.

"We'll be installing plumbing and tidying it up, hopefully making a difference," added Mr Potts.

Donations can be made to Mrs Potts on 263799.