A WANTAGE man is embarking on a six-month aid mission to tackle poverty in Burkina Faso.

Setting off in January, Tommy Collings will lead a team of volunteers from the UK alongside a Burkinabe team to try and improve water and food security in the west African nation.

The Springfield Road resident, who is jetting out with International Services, said: "I hope to help in whatever way I can to tackle the issues of extreme poverty and access to human rights the people there experience on the day-to-day."

In the former French colony's population of more than 17 million, roughly 45 per cent live below the poverty line.

To help fund his trip, Mr Collings, who grew up in Letcombe Bassett just outside Wantage, is trying to raise £800, and already has more than £300.

Find out more about the expedition and donate online at justgiving.com/fundraising/tommynimbus