A Dymock charity worker on a mercy mission to Romania has written his first letter home, thanking people for their support and telling of the terrible sights he has seen.

Matthew Hill describes the beatings handed out to children in the orphanage where he is working, the stench of neglect and of youngsters being tied to their potties with rope.

Mr Hill left for Romania on September 27 - his 27th birthday - on a 12-week sabbatical from a Ross of Wye Day Centre, where he works with adults with learning difficulties.

His voluntary trip to Romania has been paid for through donations from people in Dymock.

Mr Hill said: "The total amount raised was in excess of £1,500, with small amounts still trickling in. This figure is more than I could ever have imagined. I cannot thank everyone enough for their help and worthy contributions."

Mr Hill needed £1,000 for his visit and has given the rest to the orphanage and school where his is working to buy food and clothing.

"The stench is foul," he said. "The nurses treat children like animals. They carry sticks and I've even seen them use a broken chair leg to beat the lads with if they misbehave.

"Three times a day before each meal break, they line the children up in the corridor and sit them on potties. If the children play up or even stand up, they are tied to the potty with rope."

Happily, Mr Hill's experience at the school, built by the Nightingales Trust, has been much more inspiring.

He said: "This is for children with HIV and AIDS and is a much better environment, more like a normal school. The children are treated with love, care and respect.

"It's a very nice place and very modern.

"It's still very sad, as although these children have been rescued from the orphanage and receive proper education, their lifespan is so short. I cannot vividly describe what it is like out here."

Mr Hill will be in Romania until Christmas.

Dymock Parish Deacon Vi Chester said: "The emotional demands on him will be incredible. Those memories will probably live with him for the rest of his life."