A GROUP of Hampshire police officers are pounding a very different beat to help those living in one of the most impoverished corners of the world.

They set off from Hedge End police station for the West Country, where they were stepping out on an 80-mile trek to raise funds for the Fair Oak-based St Thomas' Handshake to Kware Appeal.

They are following the South Coast Walk from Totnes.

The ten-strong team, including six police constables, one sergeant and three civilian workers, were using their leave and rest days to take part in the coastal walk.

Among them were husband and wife police officers Tracy and Julie Swainston, who have twice visited Kware - a disease ridden suburb of the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.

They have seen at close hand how nearly 500,000 people are "prisoners" in a slum world of incredible poverty where schools lie beside open sewers.

Tracy said: "When you visit the slums you can see the desperate conditions these people are living in."

Spearheaded by Fair Oak Parish Church, the appeal is making major inroads into freeing the slum dwellers from their daily misery.

Several thousands of pounds raised across Hampshire has provided a huge injection for medical care.

Pictured, from left, are Tracy Swainston, Sue Bendon, Ed Witty, Jean Englefield, Frank Harrison, Andy Dolon, Julie Witty, Julie Swainston, Lindsey Harrison and Kris Tanaka.

Echo picture by John Luthwaite. Order no: radb06b3