A TRACTOR that will make “an enormous difference to lives” is being donated to a small village in Tanzania by the Diocese of Worcester.

The Massey Ferguson machine was purchased by the diocese in 2013 before being fully reconditioned by students of Moreton Morrell College.

It will be transported to the African country shortly, alongside a trailer and disc plough which have been bought and restored by the charity Mission Morogoro.

The project has come about through the “friendship link” between the Diocese of Worcester and the Diocese of Morogoro in Tanzania.

Canon John Green, chairman of the Morogoro task group, said: “We are thrilled that this tractor project has been the catalyst for bringing so many people together and for the deepening links between our two dioceses.”

Tony Mortimer, chairman of Mission Morogoro, added: “We are very excited to be partners in this project.

“It has great potential to improve health and reduce poverty for the people of Tunguli.

"We will work hard to make this happen.”

Students of Moreton Morrell spent 18 months working on the tractor as part of their coursework, transforming it into a “glistening, good as new tractor ready for use”.

Tim Hutchinson, who has been responsible for supervising the project, and one the students involved will travel to Tunguli to present the tractor to the villagers and advise them on its maintenance.

The costs of transporting the tractor to Tanzania have been raised by the small, independent charity Mission Morogoro.

The Bishop of Worcester will bless the tractor before it is sent overseas at a ceremony on Monday, March 23, at midday.