Cheryl Cole is to visit some of the poorest parts of Africa

Cheryl Cole is to visit some of the poorest parts of Africa in bid to help in the fight against malaria.

The Fight for This Love singer - who is currently recovering after her own battle with the potentially-fatal disease after contracting it during a recent holiday to Tanzania - will go to the poverty-stricken areas to raise awareness of the illness, which causes 3,000 preventable deaths in the continent every day.

A source told the Sunday Mirror newspaper: 'It is a very brave decision. Cheryl has thought long and hard about it. This is a life-changing, landmark experience for her. She's seen how malaria destroys people's lives and now has first-hand knowledge of just how serious it is. Cheryl got the best care possible when she got back from Tanzania and she is very grateful for it. But she is aware that millions of Africans are not so lucky.

'After what she has been through, you might have thought Africa was the last place she'd be wanting to go to. But the reverse is true.'

During her trip - which will take place next year after she finishes on the latest series of UK TV talent show 'The X Factor' - the 27-year-old star will meet the families of malaria victims, promote anti-malaria mosquito nets and tour remote hospitals.

Last year, Cheryl helped to raise money to buy over 500,000 nets by claiming Mount Kilimanjaro.