INTREPID student Andrew Vine took a break from his own studies to help pupils in Ecuador.

Andrew, of Martingale Close, Radcliffe, spent part of a trip to the country helping to secure much-needed funds for a village school.

The 18-year-old spent six weeks travelling the country, visiting such natural wonders as the rainforests and Galapagos Islands. But the former Holy Cross and Bury Church student also found time to help raise cash for a partially built school for more than 450 pupils on the outskirts of Quito.

He joined members of the US Aid development organisation, who aimed to complete the building work.

Villagers had raised most of the money needed last year, but were left with much work unfinished after encountering a shortfall.

Andrew wrote an article to bring in sponsors for the school in one of the country's English language newspapers.

And his writing was persuasive enough to secure a significant portion of the $3,000 needed.

Andrew said: "It was brilliant fun to see the jungle and islands, but you also saw some of the problems for people living there.

"There was a classroom that had been half built but didn't have any walls.

"The experience of seeing how they managed in such difficult conditions really helped open your mind up, and it was good to be able to help."

Andrew will begin a course in animation at the North East Wales Institute in Wrexham later this year.