AN EAST Oxford woman has been given the chance to work on community and conservation projects in Ecuador after winning a nationwide competition.

Elena Hunt, from Argyle Street, will also visit the United States and Canada as part of the trip, which has been organised by BUNAC, a company that organises working holidays for young people.

The 22-year-old saw off competition from 7,000 other entrants to be given the chance to take part in the projects.

She submitted a poem and video to the competition and was then chosen as one of 10 finalists.

After taking part in an interview with a panel of judges, she was then selected as the overall winner on Tuesday, June 2.

She said: “Ultimately I want to do what every other young traveller wants, to meet new people, discover new landscapes and be reminded that there’s a whole planet beyond your doorstep.”

The trip will last for eight weeks and Ms Hunt will be given a video camera to document the trip and upload videos to the internet as she makes her way around the three countries.