MOST days of the year Greg Allen operates the ferry between Shaldon and Teignmouth.

But for a week the ferryman was absent on a different task – delivering vital aid to poverty stricken Romanians.

'Although they are now part of the European Union, food and commodity prices have been driven up to western levels. Just like us, they are suffering an economic crisis and public workers have taken a 25 per cent pay cut,' said Greg, a volunteer with the Smiles Foundation, a Christian organisation.

'Yet the poor could be working for the minimum wage of £100 a month, and paying rent of up to £80. Many have no work and minimal state benefits.

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