A street entertainer is heading to Somalia as part of a United Nations mission.

Bill Brookman, from Loughborough, plans to spend three months in the East African state this autumn with United Nations (UN) Development Project.

The 54-year-old will help Somalis organise cultural events and form pro-peace groups.

He hopes to prevent youngsters being drawn into conflict by being recruited as child soldiers.

Bill has been involved in similar missions in Haiti, where he worked to stop children joining criminal gangs, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

He will travel to the UN Development Project headquarters in Hargeisa, in northern Somalia, which was bombed in October, killing two staff, and to Somali capital Mogadishu.

Bill said: "Culturally, the project is challenging.

"Somali culture is predominantly poetry.

"Visual representation can inflame Muslim fundamentalism. Solutions have to be found.

"In spite of this, street events, football championships, music, art, photography, public meetings, posters, billboards, radio, television, school visits, the strengthening of local peace and cultural groups and, of course, poetry will need to be considered."

Bill is keen to speak to people from Leicester's large Somali community before he leaves. He can be contacted on 01509 554623.