A TEENAGER has been raising money to fulfil a lifelong dream of travelling to Africa and working with wild animals.

Leanne Kelly is travelling to South Africa to begin an intensive course in wildlife

conservation that will see her tracking and tagging some of the world's most dangerous animals.

And before leaving, the 19-year-old from Rownhams has been raising money for the once in a lifetime experience.

Events have included a Battle of the Bands concert at Nexus Club in Southampton Street, Southampton.

Leanne, who has just completed a diploma in animal care, will be putting her new skills to the test in the world-famous Kruger National Park.

She said: "Working in Africa is something I have always wanted to do and I want to put something back into the community.

"I know I should be nervous but I am more excited than anything."

Leanne will be spending two weeks learning about the animals and the dangers they pose.

Then she will go out into the bush for four weeks doing a game capture and tagging animals.

That will be followed by seven weeks of clearing land for elephants and keeping an eye out for poachers.

For the last week she will be teaching in a deprived African school.