A HUSBAND and wife team from Cirencester have spent the last year devoted to building a new library for tsunami-hit victims in Japan.

Andy Wareham and Caroline Pover have been tirelessly raising money for the Oshika area of Japan, after the community was devastated by a tsunami in 2011.

"Caroline spends a third of the year in Japan putting projects in place," said Andy, who is a former deputy head at Farmor's School. "She has raised around £100,000 over the years.

"It was a year ago that I asked Caroline to find me a project to support on Oshika. Having followed her work there since the earthquake and tsunami, learned a lot about the place and the people."

While working at Farmor's, Andy was quick to get the students involved with the project and soon, with other staff and the pupils' help, he started to raise money for a new library in Ohara town. The school's arts studio hosted a concert that raised nearly £2,000, while other pupils organised a sponsored silence, boosting the total beyond the £2,000 mark.

"One of the things I have loved most about Farmor's is the generosity of its community," added Andy.

A few months later, the former teacher completed the Coventry Way Challenge 40 mile walk, taking the final total to £2,500, and during the summer he flew to Japan with his wife to begin building.

"Putting the finishing touches to the library and filling it with all the books so kindly donated by people from all over the world, was joyous," said Andy. "Inside, it is a warm and inviting space. Seeing the two teenagers in it reading books, draped over the stools, was deeply moving for both Caroline and I.

"I immediately thought of Farmor's Library and how much I have taken for granted seeing students working, reading or quietly socialising in it at break and lunch times."