Guy Hawkyard, of Greenroyd Avenue, Skircoat Green, has joined 33 other volunteers from around the UK who hope to immunise thousands of children against the crippling disease in just two days.

Three others from Calderdale – Roger Bancroft and Pam Casson, of Halifax, and Gillian Poole, of Brighouse – are among the team.

Mr Hawkyard said: "Eradicating polio is such an incredibly important cause because it still poses such risks to future generations if it is allowed to survive, I just want to do my bit."

Mr Hawkyard, 57, has flown to Lucknow, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, where he will help immunise youngsters with an oral vaccination administered over two days.

He will support local volunteers and help educate parents.

He said: "It's not always easier to do because a lot of these kids, and sometimes their parents, don't realise that this quite bitter-tasting medicine is protecting them from a crippling disease.

"They have to be bribed with toys and balloons to ensure they do what is good for them."

The project has been organised by Rotary International which has been committed to eradicating polio since 1985.

Mr Hawkyard, who has been a member of Halifax Rotary Club since 1996, travelled with Mr Bancroft, president of the Sowerby Bridge Rotary Club, and Ms Poole, president-elect at Mirfield.

He said: "I know it will be hard work in the sweltering heat and dust but I hope, on my return, I can share with others my personal experience to raise awareness about the importance of this campaign."

Only four countries – Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria, as well as India – now have reported cases of the disease. There were 252 reported incidents last year.