A DURHAM environmentalist is to travel to Russia to work with leading scientists.

Frank Jude will carry out research with environmental charity Earthwatch after winning an Earthwatch Millennium Award.

He will be involved in a project at Lake Baikal, which aims to assess the ecology of the planet's largest body of fresh water to protect it from human and global impacts.

The award scheme is funded by £1.3m of National Lottery money awarded by the Millennium Commission and is supported by Royal and SunAlliance.

Mr Jude said: "Going to Lake Baikal has been a lifelong ambition since I started learning Russian 40 years ago.

"Post-Soviet Russia has realised what a jewel this place is and I am looking forward to helping preserve it."

Over a three-year period, the programme will bring opportunities for 400 people aged 50 and over from the UK to take part in international conservation projects.

On their return, award winners draw up a community action plan to use what they have learned in local conservation volunteering projects.

Julian Laird, director of programmes at Earthwatch, said: "These awards will change lives by giving people global horizons and proving to them that they can make a difference to the environment in the UK. The awards are targeted specifically at the over-50s because this is an age group largely overlooked by mainstream environmental education activities."