A MALVERN man is seeking sponsorship for a six-month expedition to the forests of Vietnam.

Mark Witcomb, of College Grove, who has just graduated with a degree in geography from Southampton University, will be carrying out research into the fast-disappearing jungles of the south-east Asian country.

He will be working for Frontier, the expeditionary arm of the Society for Environmental Exploration.

But because Frontier is a non-governmental, non-charitable organisation, Mark needs to raise the £3,700 cost of his trip himself.

"I've got some sponsorship from Morgan Motors, for which I am very grateful," he said.

"I'm also running a sponsored marathon, but I am seeking more sponsorship."

Mark, aged 22, a keen sportsman who plays in the back row for Malvern RFC, is taking part in the Cornish Marathon on Sunday, November 19. He hopes to finish the demanding course in under three hours.

When he visits Vietnam, in January 2001, he will be collecting data on the biological and ecological values of the remaining pristine forests.

More than 85 per cent of the country's natural forest has been lost as a result of the Vietnam War or cleared for agriculture.

The information collected will be used to compile a report including information on the size, location and status of the country's forests and a list of all the species to be found there.

Mark said: "We hear so much about man's continuing degradation of the environment that I wanted an opportunity to experience first-hand the cutting edge of sustainable conservation. Frontier provides that."