HUNDREDS of unwanted hammers, chisels, spanners, drills and other tools have been donated by Swindon residents to help the people of Sierra Leone rebuild their war ravaged country.

The tools were collected by the Rotary Club of Swindon in only a month-and-a-half, following an appeal in the Evening Advertiser.

The equipment will be shipped to Africa by the Tools for Self Reliance charity.

A tonne of unwanted equipment is currently being held at the charity's warehouse near Trowbridge.

Volunteers will clean and repair damaged tools before they are sent to Sierra Leone, in West Africa.

The tools will be used to make up kits for carpenters, mechanics, builders and furniture makers.

The Rotarians launched the appeal at the end of March, and donations were collected in bins across Swindon.

Tony Hill, spokesman for the Rotary Club, said the response was so encouraging that the appeal will carry on indefinitely.

He said: "We're delighted with the amount of tools donated.

"The people who will use them can't afford these kinds of things. These tools will change lives."

Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world.

Soldiers committed appalling atrocities during 10 years of civil war, often hacking off the limbs of their victims.

The war ended last year with the help of United Nations peacekeepers, including British troops. John Brand, of Tools for Self Reliance, said the equipment will help people to help themselves.

He said: "The tools will be used by refugees who have no equipment with which to earn a living.

"We work with other charities in Sierra Leone to train people to use the equipment.

"We also work with banks to get low interest loans so people can buy materials."

Anyone wishing to donate tools to the appeal should take them to the Household Recycling Centre in Barnfield Road, Swindon, or to Hills Recycling Centre at Mopes Lane, Purton.

Tools for Self Reliance has 60 workshops in this country run by 700 volunteers.

The organisation helps people in Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda and Ghana as well as Sierra Leone

Every year, the charity, which is supported by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, sends around £500,000 worth of tools to Africa.