Villagers in Wedmore have been raising money to twin their toilets and help thousands of people living in poverty around the world.

International charity Toilet Twinning asks people to donate money to pair their toilet with another in a country of their choice.

Liz Burton, who has been leading the fundraising campaign in the village, is urging Wedmore residents to give £60 to help provide clean water, sanitation and hygiene education to people living in impoverished countries.

She said: “By donating £60 to twin a toilet, you will receive a certificate with a photo and GPS co-ordinates of the toilet you have helped fund.

“About 2.3 billion people around the world don’t have somewhere safe to go to the toilet.

“Basic sanitation has such a huge impact on health, life expectancy and the knock-on effects such as being able to work and provide for your family or attend school.

“Young women and girls are also at risk of assault without somewhere safe, close to home to go to the toilet.

“Thank you to the parish council for agreeing to this.

“I am proud that our village can now boast twinned loos and the public toilets will have certificates displayed for all to see, which will hopefully inspire others to find out more about the charity.”

Liz has been campaigning throughout the summer, including at Wedmore Street Fair in July.

She set up a stall at the event to raise awareness and hand out free gifts of homemade eco-friendly toilet fizzers.

The campaign is also being supported by parish councillor Polly Costello who wants more people to get involved.

Cllr Costello added: “I think this is a very worthy cause, providing toilets in communities in deprived areas of the world, a thing we take for granted on a daily basis, and I hope more parishes and residents throughout the UK can help in this great twinning project.”

The charity has helped thousands of people living in 10 different countries so far including Afghanistan, Guatemala, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania.