A BOLTON financial adviser swapped his calculator for a cement mixer to rebuild a tsunami-ravaged Sri Lankan village.

Adam Greenwood and six other volunteers from Skipton Financial Services, spent two weeks building a community centre in the south-west coastal village of Kosgoda. The village was devastated by the Indian Ocean tsunami which struck in 2004 and killed an estimated 230,000 people.

Foundations for the centre had been dug and the majority of the walls built before the group arrived in Kosgoda but the team still needed to concrete floors, putting on the roof, plastering interior walls, rendering the exterior walls, painting and landscaping the outside of the building.

Adam, aged 25, who is based in Bolton, said that this was quite a task for a bunch of office workers in the heat and humidity of Sri Lanka.

"Each and every day on the site was rewarding because, despite the hard graft, it was extremely enjoyable.

"A change is as good as a rest, became a favourite adage. It was extremely encouraging to see the amount of progress made at the end of each day," said Adam.

Although the tsunami struck almost two years ago, Sri Lanka - where the death toll reached 45,000 - is still struggling to re-build its communities.

During the six months prior to the trip, the team raised almost £17,000 through sponsored activities which included a sky dive. Some of the funds were used to build and furnish the community centre.

The remainder will be used to refurbish the Kosgoda sea turtle sanctuary, seen as a vital facility to increase tourism to boost the economy of the area, as well as more reconstruction.

Adam added: "We were shocked to see the destruction caused by the tsunami.

"The remains of houses that had been destroyed and smashed up fishing boats were a regular sighting along the coastal road. The community centre will be used as a crche and by mothers and women to learn English.

"They will also be taught crafts and skills which they can then use to earn an income.

The team completed the centre and took part in an opening ceremony to bless it.