DEPRIVED youngsters in Romania should not be surprised if they begin to develop Bolton accents.

Children at the Galati orphanage have been helped for several years by an appeal headed by Bolton's Anne Collins -- and now they have have an occupational therapist from the town.

Joanne Lee, aged 26, from Tonge Fold, had no idea of the Bolton connection with the orphanage when she was appointed to Galati. She said: "I never realised there was a connection as I had just moved back from London. My parents had read in the BEN about the work being carried out by Anne and her group and cut the piece out for me."

Anne heads the Project Mustard Seed group which provides therapy through play for the youngsters, with the intention of leaving behind the teaching skills with orphanage staff.

Joanne, who qualified five years ago and has since worked in Manchester, Birmingham and London, will be working as an occupational therapist in the orphanage for one year.

She said: "It was something I wanted to do when I first saw those pictures of children in Romania 10 years ago. I applied to the charity Health Action Overseas for the job in Galati and am delighted to have been successful."