A charity has smashed its target in a bid to collect books for children around the world.

Friends Against Poverty had aimed to collect 500 books to send to disadvantaged youngsters in India and Kenya.

But, with the count now complete, chairman of the charity Dipan Shah said an incredible 4,500 books have been donated.

Mr Shah said he is 'very grateful' to All Saints School, St Andrews School, Dorchester Learning Centre, Budmouth College, Weymouth College, Thomas Hardye School, Canford School, Lockyer's Middle School and Canford Heath Junior School, as well as families who donated books after hearing about the collection in the Dorset Echo.

He added: "They’ve all helped by providing many excellent educational texts which are either old editions or old syllabus."

Friends Against Poverty works across Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester to collect the books, which are now being sent to London-based charities who ship them abroad.

The aim of the scheme is to provide much-needed resources for schools in deprived areas, while reducing waste and the cost of disposing of books locally.

Mr Shah added: “The collection has been hard and time consuming but always gratifying to know that the books will benefit children living in poverty and open new opportunities for them. It has been a great team effort."

The books have been packed into 101 boxes and with the help of Nick from New Body Gym on the Granby Industrial Estate. They were then taken to Tradecroft Industrial Estate on Portland.

Here they were loaded onto a 40ft articulated lorry offered by Dave Bevis haulage who are taking them to Friends Against Poverty's charity partner Motor Parts Direct in Hatfield.

The four registered charities, CarEducation Trust, Hope4Smile, Shishukunj London and Kundanpur Youth Wing, will then arrange for the books to be shipped to underprivileged children in Kenya and India.

The scheme has been so successful that organisers are already planning to do it all again next year.

Mr Shah said: “On behalf of our charity, we’d also like to extend our thanks to all our supporters and in particular to our friends Garry James, Paul Gale, Sue Gale and Brian Reynolds who helped to collect the books including the use of their cars and trailers.

"Lastly to my daughters Kiyani and Daena and my wife Sejel who broke many a finger nail re-packing the books ready for dispatch. Ladies your next manicure is on me!"

Visit friendsagainstpoverty.org/