FIVE weeks of jungle living is in store for one Hampshire teenager who is setting off on the voluntary trip of a lifetime.

Kyle Pim, 19, is jetting off to Costa Rica at the end of July to dedicate his summer to local community and environmental projects.

The Itchen College student will spend his five weeks in the Central American country living in the jungle in a basha - a hammock with a tarpaulin and mosquito net over the top.

While he is there, he will help to build schools and community centres and restore paths and tracks used by local rangers for the maintenance of the country.

Kyle, from Bitterne, said: "I can't wait, it's going to be an amazing experience. I was really interested in getting involved after a friend of mine returned from helping on a similar ten-week project."

Kyle, who hopes to start studying for a degree in environmental forensic science at Bournemouth University in October, will be working for a charity called Operation Raleigh International alongside 40 other volunteers from the UK.

He has had to raise £1,700 to cover the costs of his trip and engineering consultants Gifford, who have a base in Netley Marsh, have sponsored him £250.

He has also completed a ten-mile sponsored bike ride to help boost his fundraising.