THE Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Rt Rev Peter Hancock plans to spend just £1 a day on food from Monday to Friday next week, April 27 to May 1.

It is part of this year’s Live Below the Line global challenge and he is being joined by his wife, Jane.

Bishop Peter said: "We’ve all seen and heard the statistics – there are 1.2 billion people in the world living in extreme poverty.

"That’s 20% of the world’s population living off £1 a day for food and drink as well as housing, education, health and all the other necessities most of us take for granted.

“Whilst this challenge cannot possibly replicate the plight of those people, it will give a sense of the harsh reality they face daily.

"I want to challenge myself and others to think differently about what living in extreme poverty really means and about the choices we make everyday. It will be a humbling experience.”

Through the challenge, Bishop Peter is also fundraising for Send a Cow, a Bristol-based charity which supports African families by providing livestock and training in farming practices, gender equality and conflict resolution.

He will help raise awareness of their work and donate any money raised to their cause.