Moseley man stands up to help others...less fortunate.

Oliver Parsons-Baker has used the opportunity of being one of the first of the living statues to go on Trafalgar Square's empty fourth plinth to campaign and raise awareness for improved sanitation and water around the world.

Moseley aquatic scientist Oliver Parsons-Baker, who dressed up as a giant poo was attempting to raise awareness and promote better sanitation around the world with Water Aid. The 26-year-old, who works for Severn Trent Water, has teamed up with Water Aid to raise awareness of the billions of people trapped in the poverty cycle due to a lack of safe water and toilets.

His cumbersome costume meant he had to be hoisted onto the plinth, drawing laughter and applause from the crowd. The outfit was composed of brown foam and leather, with a sizeable housefly dangling from it.

Parsons-Baker got his message across via two placards which bore the message: "2.5bn people don’t have a toilet" and "G8 leaders - take action on the sanitation crisis now". 

There are 2399 fellow 'plinther's' between July and October 2009.