IT'S a long way from the sun-kissed beaches of the South of France to the North York Moors - but Anna Laplace Toulouse is glad she made the journey.

She's swapped her home-town of St Tropez for the delights of Mount Grace Priory near Northallerton and is delighted with the move.

Anna, 21, has just joined English Heritage's custodial team for the summer season after spurning the attractions of London.

The theatre studies graduate is mid-way through her own version of the Grand Tour. She's recently spent four months horse trekking in Morocco and plans to work on a Tanzanian safari park over the winter.

But she's more than happy with her decision to come to North Yorkshire and said: "The priory is really beautiful and tranquil and the surrounding countryside is simply stunning.

"I wanted to improve my English and had the choice of either going to London or coming north. The people here are very warm and friendly and I've definitely made the right choice."