05/03/2008

An acclaimed North East chef is tapping into an innovative environmentally sound regional campaign to help the world’s poorest people.

Terry Laybourne, MBE is backing a new Northumbrian Water campaign - called Drink tap – save lives! - and is urging other restaurants, cafes and bars in the North East to sign up. 

The Consumer Council for Water (CCWater), which represents customers of water and sewerage companies in England and Wales, is also backing the campaign.

Starting on World Water Day, Saturday, March 22 2008, customers dining at participating North East restaurants, including Terry Laybourne’s Bistro 21 in Durham and Jesmond Dene House in Newcastle, who choose to drink tap water will be encouraged to make a donation to WaterAid, Northumbrian Water’s adopted international charity.

Reporters and photographers are invited to find out more and meet Terry Laybourne and representatives from CCWater and Northumbrian Water on Tuesday, March 11 2008 at 10.30am at Bistro 21 restaurant in Aykley Heads, Durham.

Award-winning Terry Laybourne, holder of the North East’s first ever Michelin star, said: “I’m passionate about and rely on excellent quality, local produce in my restaurants and North East tap water is local, fresh and of high quality.  My restaurants could not function without it.  It’s so easy to take for granted that when we turn on the tap we get clean, safe water.  But the reality for more than one billion people in the developing world is very different.”

Northumbrian Water’s Alison Mosquera said: “We’re hoping that restaurants, cafes and bars right across the region will join this campaign.  Access to safe water and sanitation are basic human rights.  Just £15 is enough to provide one person with a lasting supply of clean, safe water. 

“Choosing tap water rather than bottled is also an excellent way to reduce our impact on the environment.”

Barbara Leech, policy manager at CCWater Northern, said: “We welcome initiatives which give customers the option to drink tap water. Tap water in England and Wales is safe, stringently tested and at record quality levels and we encourage customers to speak up and ask for it.  WaterAid supports projects for people who don’t have this choice. I hope that those visiting participating restaurants will remember this and give generously.” 

Restaurants, cafes and bars wanting to sign up to or find out more about the campaign should contact Alison Mosquera on 0191 301 6722, email alison.mosquera@nwl.co.uk, or log onto www.nwl.co.uk.

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For more information contact Alison Mosquera on 0191 301 6722.