A charity started by the Norfolk chief of three African villages has been shortlisted for a 'best charity of the year' award.

The Wulugu project, founded by Lynne Symonds, who lives in Great Melton, is up for the honour at the GUBA awards - an annual event for Ghanaians in the UK to celebrate their achievements.

The Wulugu Project works in northern Ghana to tackle poverty through education and has helped build and equip schools.

Mrs Symonds said she was delighted with the nomination. She said: 'We are honoured to be selected to be part of a very African project. 'But we have built or re-built approximately 70 schools in the remotest districts in Ghana - and much more.'

In gratitude for her charity work, Mrs Symonds was the first white woman to become a tribal chief in northern Ghana in 1996.

The awards will be announced at a ceremony in London on July 3.

READ MORE:

-Chinese medic from Hethersett joins forces with charity for Ghanaian girls-Charity set up by Norfolk woman has been helping children in Ghana for 20 yearsTo find out more about the Wulugu Project, visit www.wulugu.co.uk