If you go into the town today you’re in for a fishy surprise.

As a thank you to customers who supported an international clean water appeal, Joan Bull, manager of the British Red Cross charity shop, is being painted to look like a mermaid.

The extraordinary talents of make-up artist and award winning body painter Suzanna Forrister Beer will be showcased from 8am when she transforms Mrs Bull into a goddess of the sea.

"The mermaid is water inspired, and if you don't have clean water, you get diseases,” Joan Bull, British Red Cross

But as part of their joint vision to promote the global need for clean water, one half will be a beautiful, health-enriched mythical porpoise, while the other half is death lingering and decaying, tarnished by dirty, polluted seas.

“The reason why we are doing this is because during January to April the British Red Cross ran a Clean Start appeal.

Money from all items sold went to provide clean water in Kenya and Bangladesh. It raised £6.5million and 380,000 people in Kenya and Bangladesh got clean water. The mermaid is water inspired, and if you don't have clean water, you get diseases,” she said.

Mrs Bull and Mrs Forrister-Beer had a practise run on Wednesday night.

“She did amazingly well. She is so talented and it gives her a chance to display her talents,” she added.

Customers in the High Street shop will be served by Mrs Bull and have the opportunity to donate to the Clean Start appeal and find out about volunteering opportunities within the charity.

The British Red Cross is at 96 High Street, Deal.