AN adventurous student from Altrincham has just returned from a two-month expedition in the Central American jungle.

Greg Wasinski, 23, trekked through the jungles of Belize as part of a project for the charity Trekforce Expeditions together with sixty other volunteers.

After a week of jungle acclimatisation and training the group was split into three project teams.

Greg, a former pupil of Manchester Grammar School and graduate from Durham University, said: "Our team's task was to build a visitor centre in a new national reserve in the South of Belize. The main objective of the park is to generate a sustainable form of income for the local community by facilitating eco-tourism. The project was situated by the beautiful Santa Cruz falls and was entirely funded by Trekforce."

The project started with a water shortage, and then the arrival of heavy rainfall meant that the project site soon became knee-deep in mud, making both living and working conditions extremely difficult.

Greg, who has just started a masters degree at King's College London, said: "We slept in hammocks strung between the trees, with canvas sheets above us and mosquito nets to keep out the insects. The team soon got used to the simple living arrangements and we began to feel quite at home in the jungle.

"I have had the most amazing time of my life in the jungle, it has been a tough but very enjoyable experience. I am sure the people I have met will be friends for life."

Jonathon Green, the expedition leader, said: "Greg was an excellent member of the team who was always full of enthusiasm. He was very energetic and made a valuable contribution to all aspects of the project."