"FORGOTTEN victims" of the devastating war in the former Yugoslavia are being thrown a lifeline by members of a Ramsbottom church.

As the people of Serbia try to rebuild their lives following the devastating ethnic conflict, gypsies living there are facing a tougher battle than most in what is described as a daily fight for survival.

The already impoverished settlers have found themselves sinking further into poverty since the war destroyed the country.

For the past three years, members of Olivet Pentecostal Church have been paying £500 to travel to the Eastern European country to help the people called "the forgotten victims of the war".

Mr Martin Coward, who will lead a seven-strong contingent to Serbia, including his son Jordan (18) and wife, Tina, told the Bury Times how gypsies were struggling to feed themselves and living in shacks in areas that resemble shanty towns.

"Gypsies by their very nature keep themselves to themselves, and are not made welcome by the local community. Since the war, their struggle has become much harder.

"For example, they find it hard to get work. The Serbs would see it as him taking the job of another Serb. But at the same time the gypsies are happy being left alone.

"It really is a desperate struggle," said Mr Coward, who lives in Ramsbottom.

Working for the charity Next Level International, the group is presently raising money to buy food for gypsies who have settled in the Jagodina and Cupria region.

Last year, members of the church helped renovate a building for pre-school children and mums -- but now the mission is to get food to the community.

"So desperate are the families that many will spend all day collecting old cardboard off the streets to sell for just two and half pence to buy food," said Mr Coward.

At the same time, the group will spend its ten-day trip helping to improve the living conditions in any way they can.

"The gypsies live in extreme poverty but are very proud people and sometimes are reluctant to accept offers of help. But our first mission is to try to get as much food as we can for the families."

"Living conditions are very basic for many of the families. We saw a family of eight living in one room which, to them, is a house.

"Some homes have no front door and not many have running water and very few have bathrooms or toilets."

He added: "The poverty is quite shocking when you see it. Many of the children do not wear shoes. We organised a football match for the children and some were playing without anything on their feet. At another event, a girl carried her shoes in her hand simply because she was not used to wearing them and they felt uncomfortable."

Members of the church are organising a variety of fund-raising activities to raise money for the purchase of food over in Serbia.

The junior department of Bury Grammar School (Boys), where Mr Coward works, have organised a charity day with all proceeds being split between Cancer Research and the Serbian settlers.

Mr Coward said: "We have already raised £1,400 to take over. Every little bit helps and can buy a lot of food for the community."

But he added: "Once we go the gypsies will be left without any form of help.

"All the money that is donated goes to helping the gypsies, as all the volunteers pay their own travel expenses."

Anybody wishing to donate money should contact Olivet Pentecostal Church on 01706 821677.