KEEN knitters from a Newport nursery are busy making clothes for disadvantaged babies in Africa.

Mums and staff at Osbourne Children’s Nursery, on Quantock Drive, are knitting vests for so called ‘fish and chip’ babies, who are from families so poor they would normally only be wrapped in newspaper after birth.

In a bid to give these children a better start, the nursery has teamed up with charity Greenfields Africa, which sends clothes and cot blankets to Uganda, Kenya and South Africa.

Nursery owner Rosaline Smith said the scheme was also helping to teach the children about thinking and caring for others less fortunate for themselves and parents had jumped at the chance to get involved.

They hope to create 50 Mama bags, which needy mums are given in the last month of their pregnancy to help them care for their newborns.

They contain a baby vest, baby grow, knitted hat, cardigan, booties and a blanket.

Shil Pharmacy in Cwmbran has donated toiletries such as cotton wool and the Christian Faith Centre in Rogerstone has donated money to buy items.

Anyone who wants to donate should call the nursery on 01633 282100.