A Trowbridge couple, who gave up their lives in the county town to help Chinese disabled and orphaned children, have made a brief returned home from their three-year mission.

Ruth and Mike Marshall, who lived in Clarendon Avenue for 22 years, moved to Changsha in Hunan province in 2009, to help the the charity International China Concern (ICC).

They have been back in Trowbridge for six weeks, where Mrs Marshall has been delivering talks about their experiences.

Friends and relatives have knitted vests for the Chinese children, as well as sending over parcels of baby clothes.

The couple’s home visit has now ended and on Tuesday they returned to their work in China.

There are 360 orphaned children, across three projects, and another 250 families and their children who are supported at charity’s home.

Some of the people helped have become long-term residents, who have been with the charity for the 17 years it has operated in the area.

Mrs Marshall, 55, who worked as a communicator guide for deafblind adults while in Wiltshire, said: “We love what we are doing. In our first year we found it very challenging. In the second year, we started to adapt, and now, in our third year going into our fourth, we are really making a difference.

“We are supporting some long-term volunteers while they are there, but I also work at the face of it, with the children, two days a week, and supporting the nurses that work with them.

“Mike spent 32 years in local government and, when we first came here, he wasn’t sure how he would be of help to the children. But we soon realised that the most important thing they need is someone to love them.

“As well as teaching the staff English, he’s also using his finance background to help with the charity’s finances, so his experience has come in very handy.”

Mr Marshall, 55, a retired accountant who worked at the former Wiltshire County Council, added: “Our work is making a real difference by showing them some love and allowing them to accept themselves better, as well as putting some fun back into their lives.”

The couple had been keeping an online blog, but, because it was linked to the social networking website Facebook, it has now been blocked by the Chinese government.

They send home regular newsletters to their friends and relatives, who follow their progress.