People having difficulties paying their water charges are to receive help from a new charitable trust fund.

Southern Water, which provides water supply and sewerage services across Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, has set aside £1million to be dispersed in grant aid to customers in severe financial difficulty.

The charity, chaired by Jill Stevens - formerly Director of Consumer Affairs at global information company Experian and chair of the Direct Debt Line charity - is working to ensure money and general advisers in the South East are aware of the new source of financial help for clients.

The trust is also looking for money advice projects to fund, up to a ceiling of £30,000, to promote financial rehabilitation and money management in deprived communities.

The fund is administered by Auriga, from where further information about the trust, funding applications and how to volunteer as a trustee can be obtained by e-mailing office@aurigaservices.co.uk.