A Norfolk entrepreneur whose ethical water brand has helped drought-ridden African villages has been named a Great Briton at a prestigious national award ceremony.

By LAURA DEVLIN

A Norfolk entrepreneur whose ethical water brand has helped drought-ridden African villages has been named a Great Briton at a prestigious national award ceremony.

Duncan Goose was honoured alongside the Queen, Helen Mirren, Geri Halliwell and David Beckham at the inaugural Greatest Britons bash in recognition of his successful campaign to sell bottled One water in the UK to help pay for clean, pumped water to be provided to poor communities.

The former advertising executive, who grew up in Dersingham and is the brother of Waking The Dead actress, Clare, quit his high-flying job to set up Global Ethics in 2004 and has since paid himself an annual salary of just £6k.

All net profits from One go towards providing clean, safe water for southern African villages, with One playing a pivotal role in bringing the issue of water scarcity to the attention of the UK.

Speaking to the EDP last night, a rather weary Mr Goose said he was still “lost for words” and was delighted that Global Ethics had been given such a prominent platform that would bring it to the attention of millions more potential supporters.

He also revealed the company's next mission - to sell condoms in this country which will fund HIV-prevention work in Africa.

“It was very exciting to be alongside the likes of David Beckham and Helen Mirren and Sir Ranulph Fiennes, who has been a massive hero of mine for years, and to be plucked from so many people to be representative of the UK is quite stunning.

“I think on a personal level it has put me in the spotlight a lot more - my phone hasn't stopped ringing today - and hopefully it will mean I will get more opportunities like this to talk about the work that I do.”

He added that his team of six are continuing to push One Water in shops, hotels and restaurants and are on course to launch the condom initiative.

“It is close to completion and is a project we will be running later this year, working with a consortium of NGOs (non-governmental organisations) in Ethiopia.

“There's some really, really challenging work but I think very, very valuable and it could do a lot of good.”

Winners of the Greatest Britons gongs were chosen by a panel of judges, with the Greatest Living Briton award, won by the Queen, voted by ITV1 viewers.

Dame Helen Mirren, who won an Oscar earlier this year for her portrayal of the Queen, took the prize in the film category and David Beckham flew in from Spain to pick up the award for global achievement.

Other winners included adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes - the first man to reach both the north and south poles by land - for sports.

As seen on ITV1 on Monday night, Mr Goose was presented with his Greatest Briton award ahead of two others in the campaign category by UN goodwill ambassador and former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell.