STAFF and students cut lectures to step out on a sponsored canal walk from Leigh to Wigan.

The event was part of an infunmation day to raise funds to provide a special Third World house to help the earthquake victims of India and El Salvador.

The house, built by Skelmersdale company Envirotech, is made of recycled plastic and impregnated with a biocide which kills life-threatening bacteria and viruses common in poorer countries.

One of the homes was put up in Mesnes Park to show people what their efforts were for. Also on display was a hovercraft, designed and built by engineering students.

The day, organised by the college in conjunction with Wigan Council's leisure and cultural services department, is part of an awareness campaign for healthy living, active lifestyle and the environment.

College staff development manager Roger Shearer, one of the organisers, said: "It is the end of another year at the college and the day was an ideal way for staff to take part in some well-deserved enjoyable activities with their workmates.

"At the same time, we have hopefully raised lots of cash to help people far less fortunate than ourselves."