A ONCE in a lifetime opportunity has become reality for a school girl from Darwen, who has been chosen from hundreds of applicants to represent East Lancashire in South America.

Lucky Allison Barton, 15, of Sandon Street, Darwen, was nominated to take part in the 19th World Scouting Jamboree in Chile by Mark and Amanda Kassai, leaders of the 1st Darwen Scouts, Duckworth Street, Darwen, where Allison is senior patrol leader.

The jamboree is a huge event which attracts 30,000 competitors from all over the world, aged 14 to 25. They will be taking part in a conservation project, such as helping to build a school.

Allison, who is a pupil at Darwen Moorland High School, is very excited about the event, and will be leaving next Christmas for three weeks with another competitor from East Lancashire, Matthew Smith, 13, of King Street, Whalley.

She said: "I'm really excited about going, it will be the trip of a lifetime. I've got another three training camps before I go, where I'll meet 24 other scouts from Merseyside and Cumbria. I've got to take special equipment with me, such as desert boots, a fleece coat, waterproofs and a special uniform with a Union Jack and my name on it."

Allison has written to various companies for sponsorship for the trip, as she needs to raise £2500. So far she has raised £1,400 from donations from businesses and charitable organisations, such as Darwen's Lloyd's Trust, Scout Council, and East Lancashire Council. She has also raised cash from the proceeds of jumble sales and Christmas fairs. Anyone who would be interested in sponsoring Allison should contact Eileen Barton on: 774850.

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