Eighteen-year-old Luke Batchelor, from Park View in Felton, will be visiting one of the most remote regions on the planet, as part of the British Schools Explorers Society project.

But the former Duchess's High School pupil needs to raise £3,500 for a place on the team and is planning to walk the entire length of Hadrian's Wall in May to top up his funds.

Luke, who is studying for a BTEC Foundation Diploma in Fine Art and Design at Newcastle College, said: "During this expedition we will travel up the river to extremely remote areas of the Amazon, some of which are closed to travellers except for those involved in approved scientific research.

"The main aims of our project will be to contribute to ongoing research into the flora and fauna of the region, conducting population counts of different species to assess the impact of population growth and illegal activities.

"We will also conduct searches for new species of insects and assist in the relocation of turtle eggs away from areas where poachers are known to go.

"These activities will involve taking part in field work and sometimes living in the jungle for days at a time."

Luke's not the first in his family to have far-flung foreign travels.

"My sister Gemma, who's 24, travelled to India on her gap year, and my twin brother Rory is doing the same this year for his," he said.

"It will be interesting trying to keep in touch when we're on opposite sides of the world and in remote places."

But the siblings' taste for exotic destinations does slightly worry dad John, who works at Sanofi in Alnwick, and mum Julie, a hospital worker.

Luke added: "For my trip there was a 12-page risk assessment, which got my folks a bit worked up."

Following his Amazonian experience, Luke hopes to start on a full-time two-year foundation degree course in Applied Architectural Stonework and Conservation at Weymouth College.

He will have the opportunity to study for a further year at the University of Bournemouth to complete a BSc (Hons) in heritage conservation.

If you want to sponsor Luke's expedition, contact him on 01670 787122.