A WORKER from a water supplier is going on a fact-finding mission to Ghana to see the problems caused by the lack of clean drinking water.

Louise Robinson, from Northumbrian Water, will travel to the west African state with the company's adopted charity WaterAid.

Louise leaves for Ghana on Monday, and will be in the country for two weeks. As part of her trip she will spend a day with a family in the village of Nyabgare Kpelpkee. She will also meet the country's vice-president, Aliu Mahama.

The 31-year-old said: "Women and children in Ghana walk up to 20km a day to collect water from rivers and muddy holes. It is back-breaking work and the water often brings disease to their families. A child dies every 15 seconds from water-borne illnesses.

"The problems can sound daunting, but we can all do something to help. It costs less than £15 to provide someone with safe water, sanitation and hygiene education for life."

Northumbrian Water is sending out WaterAid appeal leaflets with customers' annual bills.

Last year's appeal raised £15,000, enough to bring safe water and sanitation to 1,000 people.