RESEARCHER Becky Cotton has been made the Bristol ambassador for a scheme set up to raise awareness of poverty around the world.

Becky was chosen to get involved in the Global Poverty Project, which has the backing of Microsoft founder Bill Gates, due to her long running involvement with charities and interest in overseas development.

A former teacher in Bristol, she now carries out research for Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore and will dedicate about ten hours a month to her new role of increasing awareness of the reality of extreme poverty.

Becky, 37, of Yate, said the ambassadors selected from around the country would work during 2012 on the project, which is run with the Co-operative Group.

It was launched recently at the London School of Economics at an event attended by Becky and her ambassador colleagues, where they met Mr Gates and heard him address the audience.

She said: "I've always been interested in international development and spent two-and-a-half weeks in Rwanda to see projects in operation.

"I've always thought that instead of just giving money, it was important to do practical things such as provide education.

"I'm really chuffed to have been chosen for the project and later this month will go to London for training.

"I have a lot of contacts with community groups and universities and will give presentations during the year to explain the effects of extreme poverty and ways of helping."

Becky, a former student at Chipping Sodbury School, said simple actions such as supporting the Fair Trade movement could make a difference to people's lives and during the presentations, she will show how communities in and around Bristol can play a part in ending it.

The Co-operative Group last year committed itself to spending £7 million a year supporting schemes such as the Global Poverty Project.