A choir of youngsters from deprived backgrounds in India is on a once in a lifetime tour in Oxford.

Dr Graham's Homes' Choir - made up of 31 boys and girls from Kalimpong in West Bengal - met Lady Sedhar Ball who has helped promote and raise money for the charity Dr Graham's Homes.

Lady Ball, a Tibetan refugee, began her education in 1964 at the school run by the charity.

It was founded in 1900 in the Himalayan foothills of north-east India, to provide schooling for and to look after impoverished children.

Lady Ball is a member of the UK committee which raises funds for the charity.

The youngsters, aged between 11 and 18, are in Oxford to promote and raise money for the school, which through a sponsorship programme in India and the UK, has meant that hundreds of children have received an education and a good start in life that they otherwise would not have had.

After their arrival on Monday, the group had dinner at Lady Ball's house in North Oxford, went sightseeing on Tuesday and visited the Cotswold Wildlife Park near Burford yesterday. Wildlife park secretary Maureen Clifford said: "The choir visited the park and had fun relaxing and enjoying the animals. It's wonderful that we can help them during their stay in Oxford."

Tomorrow, they will take part in a morning tour of Oxford, before meeting Oxford Lord Mayor Jim Campbell, who will host a reception for the choir in the town hall.

At 7pm, it will perform a mixed repertoire of gospel, modern, Nepali and Hindi songs as well as a demonstration of Bengali dancing at St Andrew's Church, in Linton Road, Oxford.

Oxford schools have also helped with the choir's stay. St Edward's School, in Woodstock Road, has provided accommodation and meals, and Summer Fields School, in Mayfield Road, Summertown, has provided transport.

Lady Ball said: "The children arrived on Monday and are quite jet-lagged. They have been settling down and are really excited about being in Oxford.

"Many people have already commented on how well-behaved they are and what a delight they have been.

"Having been overwhelmed with the kindness I have seen throughout my life. I felt it was my turn to give something back.

She added that the two main causes close to her heart were fundraising for Dr Graham's Homes school, as well as raising money to help nomads in Tibet, currently part of China.

Tickets to the concert are £15. For more information call 01865 439023.