VISITORS to Dunbar High Street are being challenged to find nine letters of the alphabet in a bid to help farmers in Malawi.

Dunbar Christian Aid Group is joining hundreds of activists in taking on The Big Pea Challenge during Christian Aid Week.

The focus this year is on communities which are paying a harsh price for the global cost-of-living and climate crises.

Farmers in Malawi struggle to get a fair price for their goods and have been battling climate change, with rising temperatures and regular floods making it tough to grow crops. However, one plant is hardier than the others: the pigeon pea, which is drought-resistant, soil-revitalising and high-protein.

Visitors to Dunbar High Street can pick up an entry form from BeGreen, the library or any Dunbar church for a donation of £1 or more and are then challenged to find all the letters of ‘PIGEON PEA’ hidden in shop windows on the street to raise funds and help farmers in Malawi, starting on Wednesday.

The money raised during Christian Aid Week, which runs from May 14 to 20, will help the charity’s partner agencies in Malawi with projects to combat the effects of climate change on crops and ensure farmers are paid a fair price for their produce.

Diana Mackie, local organiser, said: “The Big Pea Challenge is all about coming together in fun and friendship to help bring real change to our global neighbours.

“We decided to hold a challenge that can involve the whole family whilst also encouraging them to explore our local high street.

“People the world over are struggling with the cost of living and having to make tough decisions.

“We are standing with those hardest hit by the climate crisis and the cost of living – people who are doing all they can to break free from poverty.”