A couple who gave up their holiday to rescue an African girl and her unborn twins from a life on the streets have pledged to continue supporting her.

Linda Buchwald and her partner Peter Blackwell, were on holiday in The Gambia in January when they met hotel dancer Evelyn Mendy.

The 23-year-old had been sacked from the resort and thrown out of her flat because she was five months pregnant.

Immediately they decided to cancel the rest of their holiday to pay for her hospital treatment, rent her a flat and pay her bills.

Peter Blackwell and Linda Buchwald Last week they returned to The Gambia and met Peter and Simon, the children they saved, who are named after Mr Blackwell, and Ms Buchwald's 23-year-old son.

Ms Buchwald said: "A lot of people in the hotel knew she was pregnant, was being kicked out and had nowhere to live.

"We couldn't let that happen.

"If we hadn't helped she would have been begging on the streets with all the others.

"We realise now we have taken on a lifetime commitment but I have no regrets at all -- it is really great to help her.

"I don't think there will be a time when we can walk away.

"Whenever we talk about them we call them our Gambian grandchildren and she calls us mum and dad.

"We don't think we are doing anything special, we were just so moved by this young girl and once we started we couldn't walk away.

"We are in a position where we can afford it, even if it means staying in a few evenings here and there."

The couple, from Wick Farm, Barton, Oxford, first met Evelyn in their hotel and heard she could not afford to pay to give birth in a hospital or find a place to live.

After making friends they paid for her treatment, rent and bills and have pledged to put money in her bank account every month to make ends meet.

The couple feared Evelyn would end up on the streets and the children would be sent to an orphanage.

On May 21 they returned from The Gambia after taking a suitcase of baby clothes and supplies for Evelyn, Peter and Simon.

The couple, who run a pet grooming business in Barns Road, said they would save £30 a month for the family and want to pay for the children's education.

They have also visited the Gambian Embassy to arrange for Evelyn and her children to visit, or even live in Oxford.

Anyone interested in making donations or helping people in Gambia should ring Ms Buchwald on 01865 712478.