The ten-strong group from Watnall Road Baptist Church are spending three weeks in the densely-populated city of Kolkata, which was formerly India's capital when known as Calcutta.

They are the church's leader, the Rev Paul Gough, and congregation members Stuart Falconer, Pam Whitehead, Helen Cable, Toni Spurry, Mary Marshall, Iain McVicar, James Wilkinson, Andy Poxon and Gemma Wilkinson.

All those taking part are from Hucknall, except Toni, who lives in Mansfield. They were given a big send-off on Hucknall Market Place before the team jetted out to India.

In the build-up, the team declared on their blog website: "We are excited about the prospect of being able to go out and try to make a difference. Even if it's a small difference, it will be worth it."

On their first full day, they were taken aback by the heat but managed to visit a local baptist church before being caught in torrential rain as part of a monsoon.

Since then, they have worked in local schools, teaching English, singing songs and playing games. They have also helped man mobile schools for orphans who live on the street and visited an old people's homes.

The blog site continues: "The children come from a variety of backgrounds. In some of the schools, they come from the streets, while others come from the slums and still others come from the surrounding houses, depending on the location of the schools.

"They all seem to really appreciate us being here and have enjoyed learning songs from us, as well as teaching us new ones.

"'Telephone To Jesus' seems to be a favourite with the little ones but is great fun for us as well. We hope that we are making a difference, not least by encouraging the hard-working, under-resourced teachers."

Female members of the team have paid an emotional visit to a girls' hostel where they were treated to an impromptu concert.

And the group were also invited to a project called Freeset, which was created by a New Zealand couple seven years ago in a red-light district. Girls make jute bags to be distributed across the globe as an alternative to prostitution.

The trip has come about through the Baptist Missionary Society (BMS) World Mission. It is the first time a group from the Watnall Road church have taken part.

Preparations began last November with an application process and £1,500 has been raised per person to make the trip possible.

Events to raise the cash have included concerts, sponsored walks and swims and a gift day.

Ian Smith, of Watnall Road Baptist Church, said: "It is a very different experience for them and very interesting to see a different culture. It is an eye-opener.

"The help they are giving is only part of it. The other part is encouragement for the church to have a wider vision of helping people around the world."

The group's progress can be viewed on www.wrbckolkata.blogspot.com.