A young campaigner visited the European Parliament in Brussels this week as part of her work for an international development charity.

ONE campaign youth ambassador Peris Thuo, of Theobald Street, was hosted by Hertfordshire MEP Richard Howitt to plan how Europe can help to eliminate extreme poverty in Africa by 2030.

The ONE campaign played a crucial role in the 'Make Poverty History' campaign, in which Europe and the world's richest countries agreed to fund the fight against poverty and disease in Africa.

Mr Howitt signed the charity's newest "pledge" at the recent European Elections, to further the fight against world poverty on the next five years.

Peris Thuo, 24, was appointed as one of 150 Youth Ambassadors for the charity from six European countries.

Originally from Kenya, she has worked and volunteered abroad, including climbing Kilimanjaro to raise money for schools in Tanzania.

She said: "It was really nice to meet all the ambassadors, along with the ministers and MEPs, and get the chance to understand how the European Union works. We also held a march between the European Parliament and the Commission, with boards and messages to lobby for our campaign which went really well.

"It was such a pleasure to meet Richard Howitt, and I am pleased he wants to help to make sure that African people themselves are involved in the changes that are badly needed.”

Mr Howitt said: "It is fantastic that Peris is joining other young people from throughout Europe to show that British people do care about Europe and the rest of the world.

"I am proud that Europe is the world's biggest aid donor, and will play my part to ensure this money is spent wisely to combat poverty and save lives. I was happy to make a promise myself by campaigning for the ONE campaign's 'pledge,' and am delighted Peris has joined me at the start of the new parliamentary term to make sure Europe honours its promises to the rest of the world."

Miss Thuo will now continue her work with the campaign by lobbying other MEP's to sign the ONE pledge.

She said: "We still have a lot of work to do, but we all agree that what goes on in Africa can actually affect all of us and so it's really important to continue lobbying."