A STUDENT who hopes to follow in the footsteps of David Attenborough, has landed a dream course to learn about wildlife ecology.

Hollie Tweedie, 19, from Wreay, near Carlisle, will be attending the prestigious Rollins College in Orlando, Florida, to study for a degree in Marine Biology, to learn about vertebrate and invertebrate zoology - which she hopes will open up a future career in conservation.

The pupil from Caldew School's sixth form has already been doing her bit to help protect the environment where she has become a Carlisle City Council Litter Champion and organised a litter pick in Wreay on Sunday, February 23.

She and about 35 other volunteers collected 25 sacks of rubbish, much of which was recycled.

Hollie has previously organised clean-ups on the Solway Coast.

Last year she even travelled to the Maldives where she worked as a marine biologist to help rescue Green Sea Turtles and conducted a survey of micro-plastics.

Hollie said: “It is definitely been my dream for the past five years.

“Ultimately I just want to help to save the world and if everyone can just make a little contribution all together then we can make a difference - I would like to walk in David Attenborough’s footsteps.

“We are the most advanced species on the planet but we are managing to destroy the planet, we need to conserve it for other generations.

"Conservation really helps and it can highlight issues like plastic in the oceans.

"Species can go extinct, some through natural cycles, but to an extent we can help preserve them."

She said that all species were important, even small ones like flies and spiders, have a place in the eco system and it was really important to keep a natural balance.

A passion for wildlife, ecology and conservation was ignited at the age 11 on a family trip to the Indian Ocean.

After her degree she hopes to perhaps go back to the Maldives to help with wildlife conservation or New Zealand to take part in Killer Whale research.

The degree is taught over four years, and there are many opportunities which includes a study abroad programme - where she can live and work in Maine USA, Greece and New Zealand.

She is hoping that the litter pick on Sunday will become and annual event and thinks that little sister Tillie-Mae Tweedie, 10, who also wants to help save the environment, will take on the mantle of organising litter picks while she is away.

Hollie added: "She is a little wildlife warrior and would like to go into the sciences as well."

The litter pick was organised ahead of the Great British Spring Clean which is being supported by Carlisle City Council.

It's on the look-out for volunteers for the event to be held between Friday, March 20, and Monday 13 April.

Counsellor Nigel Christian, portfolio holder for Environment and Transport, said:"You can pledge to pick up litter in your local area, join a local litter pick group or even host one yourself.

If you would like to set up a local litter picking group, we'd love to hear from you."

For information or to volunteer email at wasteos@carlisle.gov.uk