Christine Oddy MEP will attend the official opening by HRH Prince Charles of Intermediate Technology's new headquarters at Bourton on Dunsmore today.

The organisation, which aims to provide people in the Third World with the technical skills to work their way out of poverty, moved to the 18th century Bourton Hall from nearby Rugby last May.

The building named - after its founder Dr E S Schumacher - the Schumacher Centre for Technology and Development - will provide a venue for conferences and exhibitions as well as housing Intermediate Technology’s 80 staff.

Christine has been involved with Intermediate Technology for many years through her work in Sri Lanka and other developing countries.

She said:

"I have enormous respect for Intermediate Technology and its work with developing countries. Much of Western machinery is inappropriate for these countries and the projects they support give dignity and sustenance to people in remote parts of the world".