A NEW campaign has been launched in a bid to reduce the deadly impact of malaria across the Commonwealth.

Glasgow the Caring City has joined forces with the Trades House of Glasgow to launch Hit the Net.

Figures show that this year up to one million people will die of malaria and up to 250,000,000 will become victims of it and other parasitic infections. The disease can be greatly reduced thanks to the simple use of mosquito nets, which cost just £5 each.

Hit the Net's initial target is to raise funds to supply 2014 mosquito nets, with many thousands more to follow, for new born, infants, young children and expectant mothers in countries blighted by malaria across Africa, Asia and South America.

Members of the Glasgow Battalion of the Boys' Brigade were on hand at the campaign launch in the Trades Hall yesterday, to help demonstrate how people can fundraise for Hit the Net.

Rev Neil Galbraith, CEO of the charity, Glasgow the Caring City, said: "The concept is very simple, as we encourage people to hold sporting events or hospitality days to help us deliver 2014 nets in the first instance, with many more to come."