A MALVERN woman will be among the last people to see one of the world's most spectacular natural landscapes before it disappears under water.

Maureen Edwards is to trek 85 kilometres along the banks the Yangtze River in China, through the dramatic Three Gorges, to raise money for Acorns Children's Hospice at the end of May.

When the 57-year-old retired teacher signed up for the trip last month, she was told she would have a year to get fit and raise the £2,750 sponsorship needed to take part. The money will be put towards the charity's bid to build a hospice for terminally ill children in Worcester.

However, the trek has had to be moved forward because the area is due to be flooded as part of the biggest hydroelectric power project ever seen.

Starting in June, the famous landscape will start to vanish under a 412-mile long reservoir, which will submerge 13 cities, 140 towns and 1,352 villages. The project will cost at least $29 billion and force more than 1.2 million people from their homes. The reservoir is being built to provide power for the Yangtze River valley, where a third of China's 1.2 billion people live.

Despite the new deadline leaving less time to raise money and train, Miss Edwards, of Arosa Drive, said it gave the trek an added attraction.

"It will be a historic trip because nobody will ever see it again the way it is now," she said.

However, the main focus is still to raise money for what she described as "an extremely good cause".

Miss Edwards said the Worcester-based hospice was badly needed, as life-limited children often have to go as far as Birmingham.

"Birmingham can be quite daunting for some people," she said. "When you've got a child who is that ill, that's the last thing you want."

Miss Edwards said she was overwhelmed by the reaction to her appeal from schools, individuals and businesses.

Contributions can be made on 01684 564224.