A TEAM of Hampshire social workers will today return from Sri Lanka after spending three weeks helping children left orphaned by the tsunami.

The six-strong group of children and family social workers left for the heavily ravaged Hambantota region of the country last month.

On a three-week visit, the Hampshire County Council team has been assisting and training the region's social workers and teachers who are dealing with the incredible task of looking after 640 children left orphaned by the Boxing Day disaster.

A few days before they left for home the group sent an e-mail to describe the work they have been doing and their experience.

Team leader Lynn Ludford wrote: "We have been working very hard. We have not had a day off. It is very harrowing but we are bearing up well and supporting each other."

The team's work has been so impressive that yesterday they were due to meet with the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapakse.

"The name of Hampshire County Council is now known locally and nationally," Lynn said.

Commenting on the team's work, county council leader Councillor Ken Thornber said: "I'm delighted to hear from the team in Sri Lanka and to know that they're really making a difference on the ground. I look forward to welcoming them back and finding all about their work with the children bereaved in the tsunami.

"I'm sure this will have broadened their experience, which they can share with their colleagues in social services,"

THE WAVE OF DEATH:

The southern and eastern coastlines of Sri Lanka were ravaged by the tsunami with homes, crops and fishing boats being destroyed.

At least 31,000 people are known to have died, and more than 4,000 are still missing. The number of homeless people is put at between 800,000 and one million.

In one of the worst single incidents, at least 800 people died when a train was struck by the tsunami at Telwatta.

The International Labour Organisation estimates that at least 400,000 people lost their jobs.

Aid to the country so far includes foreign troops working to clear the wreckage and a $3.5bn reconstruction drive from the government that includes rebuilding seaside towns, many from scratch.