A VALE student will come face to face with exotic birds, monkeys and turtles when she heads to South America for a month of conservation work.

Stephanie Spiers will be volunteering with Projects Abroad in Peru in November next year but the 21-year-old, of Station Road, South Littleton, needs to raise £3,000 before she leaves on the trip.

She said: “This is a big challenge for me. I am working at Tesco in Evesham to raise the money and may do some fund-raising activities.”

The Hartpury College student is also heading to South Africa this year to undertake a research and tracking project.

“I am studying animal behaviour and welfare but will have graduated by the time I go to Peru,”

said Miss Spiers. “I will be working with exotic birds and monkeys and there is a turtle conservation project which I will be there for. I am so excited.”

Peter Slowe, director of Projects Abroad, said: “We are really pleased Stephanie is doing this.

Those at the Peru destination are looking forward to meeting her and they definitely want her to bring some pictures of Worcestershire with her.”