STUDENT Lucy Watson is off to Madagascar next month to work on a conservation project.

Ms Watson, 23, a student at the University of Durham, will help conservation work on coral reefs around the island and carry out cultural work to promote awareness among the island community.

She is hoping her latest trip will not be as eventful as the first time she volunteered for charity work.

As The Northern Echo reported in 2002, she was trekking through the rainforests of Borneo when she was bitten by a tarantula spider.

Ms Watson, from Corporation Road, Darlington, made a full recovery and her experience has not deterred her. She will be flying out to he tropical island on December 12, for six weeks.

For the trip, Ms Watson needs to raise £1,700 for Blue Ventures Conservation. She is paying her own travel costs.

She held a race night and raised £500, and has also been supported by local businesses, but still needs more sponsorship.

To sponsor Ms Watson, telephone 07843 444195.