A Newport steelworks is helping a charity set up a new business in Uganda.

Orb Electrical Steels has donated machinery and computers to set up a machine shop buisiness in Mbale, where Pontypridd-based charity PONT works to relieve poverty.

Howard Smith a project engineer at Orb and a volunteer with PONT, came up with the idea when on a trip to Mbale having noticed that there was no such facility in the town.

The machines sent will enable the town to generate much needed funds for the charity and area.

In order to provide a complete and viable workshop the University of Glamorgan and members of the public have also donated additional tools and accessories.

The equipment which was no longer needed after the steelworks were updated, is due to arrive early this year.

It is hoped that the buisiness will be up and running in a few months, with its first customer, Mbale General Hospital already confirmed.

PONT - Patnerships Overseas Networking Trust - was started in 2002. It linked Pontypridd with Mbale in order to form a long term patnership to 'make poverty history'.

The general manger at Orb, Mark Chicuta, agreed to the donation and offered to cover all shipping costs.