A FLIGHTLESS parrot that climbs to the top of the nearest hill to call in a sonorous bass voice to its lady love sounds like the creation of the Monty Python team.

But Dauntsey's School pupils Pete Budge and Saul Cowen are off to New Zealand in the summer to work on a project designed to save these strange birds, called Kakapos, from extinction.

Saul, 17, from Urchfont, near Devizes, said: "The Kakapo, which used to range throughout New Zealand, was thought to have become extinct some years ago. But they found a small colony of them on an island off the south coast of the South Island. Unfortunately, rats and other predators had already found their way to this island so the Kakapos were moved to another island, known as Codfish Island, where there were no predators and that's where we're going."

The two friends will be heading for New Zealand at the end of June after winning a travel scholarship for £1,000 awarded by the school parents' association.

But they need to find another £2,000 to cover their travelling and living expenses while they are out there.

Pete, also 17, from Broad Hinton, near Marlborough, said: "We have already received some sponsorship from local companies and we're really grateful for that.

"But if anyone else out there is prepared to help us reach our target that would be great."

Pete is participating in the Devizes to Westminster canoe race at Easter to help the school raise money for its chosen charity this year, the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal.

If anyone wants to sponsor their trip to New Zealand, they can ring him on (01380) 840478.

Anyone wanting to sponsor crews in the Devizes to Westminster race should call the school on (01380) 814500.