YOUNGSTERS from Dorset will build a school for Ghanaian children this summer.

Representatives from the Air Cadet Junior Leaders programme will travel to Africa to support organisation Village to Village.

The expedition has been funded by the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation (JTYAF), a Ferndown-based charity established to help young people achieve their dreams.

In total, 11 junior leaders will travel to village Obom to build a junior school. Currently, pupils study in a clay structure which has now been condemned.

Once the new building is in place, it will be adopted by the Ghanaian government, with funding and provision of teachers for at least a decade.

The junior leaders who visited the village last year build a primary school, which is now in full use.

The JTYAF launched in 2008 following the death of Royal Marine John Thornton in Afghanistan.

Charity co-founder Linda Thornton said: "John's legacy lives on and is making a huge difference, not only to the junior leaders taking part in this expedition, but also to families living in the village of Obom.

"Education transforms lives.

"For most of these young children, education represents the only way out of a life of poverty.

"No other investment has such a lasting effect as the education of children."

For more information, visit jtyaf.org