JET-SETTING Southampton University graduate Andy Fidler is heading for the heights with a new Internet company aimed at students taking gap years.

The seasoned traveller has set up findaGap.com, which offers a guide to gap years and backpacking. The website has 10,000 visitors a month.

"Gap years are now very popular with students," said Andy. "Employers value them as a way of broadening horizons and increasing self-confidence.

"A good gap year should be a mixture of valuable experience for later life and fun."

Andy left Southampton last year with a degree in aerospace engineering but had already decided to start up his own business with help and advice from the university's Centre for Enterprise and Innovation.

A former snowboarding and parasailing instructor, the 23-year-old now lives in Gerrards Cross and is putting in long hours to make his business a success.

"I was hoping there would be plenty of opportunities to travel for findaGap.com but so far the furthest I've been for the company is Birmingham," he said.