Hunger pangs may be heard from a councillor next week who will spend just £1 a day on food to raise awareness about global poverty.

Thrifty Councillor Bambos Charalambous has finished his bargain shopping for rice, lentils, porridge and cheese spread ready to take part in the five-day Live Below The Line charity campaign.

It is the second time Cllr Charalambous, who leads Palmers Green, is getting involved in the challenge, although he admitted he previously found sticking to the strict rules tough when one day he left his sandwiches at home.

Cllr Charalambous, who is also cabinet member for culture, leisure, youth and localism, said: “It is pretty scary.

“It‘s going to be a bit monotonous so for a bit of variety I am going to get some spaghetti in tomato sauce.

“I did it a couple of years ago, but it was quite difficult because one day I forgot my sandwiches and I couldn’t buy anything else so I had to go for 12 hours without eating anything.”

The Labour politician has spent 40p on 1kg of rice, £1 on 500g of green lentils, 65p on 500g on porridge oats, and 50p on a loaf of white bread.

Penny-pinching Cllr Charalambous has also spent 61p on cheese spread, 19p on two tins of spaghetti, 20p on vegetable stock cubes and £1.26 on tomatoes, onions and vegetables.

Cllr Charalambous, who may be a little lethargic next week during council meetings, admitted skipping his early morning coffee will be tough as he will be unable to afford the luxury while living below the line.

The councillor, who lives in Palmers Green, hopes to hit his target of raising £750 for Positive Women, a charity which supports women and children in Africa.

Enfield Independant