The 16 youngsters aged between 12 and 16, who come from Stubbington, took part in a day-long sponsored fast which took place between noon on Wednesday and noon on Thursday at Holy Rood Church, Gosport Road, to raise money for Christian aid charity World Vision.

Alec Gill, youth minister at the church, said: 'Before we started we looked at some materials and watched a DVD about World Vision's work in the Indian city of Chennai with the "nowhere people".

'The kids responded really, really well. They were excited about doing it beforehand, and we didn't catch them sneaking food in or whingeing about being hungry.

'It has helped them think just a little bit of what they've got and what it's like for other people who aren't so fortunate.'

The fast was part of a week-long church project, Make A Difference. The youngsters also took part in a litter pick, some gardening and offering free car washes in the village.

'Some people got really confused by the free car wash and were trying to give us money, they couldn't understand why we would do it for nothing,' added Mr Gill.