While most people are reaching for their hats and scarves to beat the winter chill, 18-year-old Zoe Mackrill is stocking up on suncream.

The Swindon-born dancer is preparing to set sail on the career of her dreams aboard a luxury cruise liner touring the Med.

Zoe will set off in December, swapping Christmas in Swindon for Spain, Morocco, Turkey and Greece.

"I'm really excited because I have always wanted to perform and this way I get to travel and see the world as well," said Zoe, a former pupil of the Judith Hockaday School of Dancing.

She will leave the Coleview home she shares with her parents Teresa and Eric later this month for a two-week intensive training period in Norfolk.

After that she will fly out to meet with other crew members and board the ship The Flamenco on the Greek coast.

An accomplished dancer, Zoe said she was looking forward to the challenge. "I am expecting it to be a lot of hard work but that's good because I won't have time to miss anyone then."

Zoe has teaching diplomas in modern dance, tap and national dance