RECTOR'S son Chris Raven is aiming to raise £3,500 to venture into the rainforests of Belize.

The 23 year-old from Crudwell has just graduated from Southampton University with a first in geography and wants to raise the money to join 20 volunteers on a conservation project with the charity Trekforce.

He said he was looking forward to the two-month expedition, which will begin in July. "I can't wait to go, it is going to be fantastic," he said.

The fundraising has already started for Mr Raven, who works as a hospital domestic and intends to study for a masters degree in landscape architecture when he returns.

He is selling detailed sketches of people's houses for £25 and has a tandem parachute jump, raffle and car boot sale in the pipeline.

Anyone who would like to support him should phone (01666) 577118 or 07743 065535.