A CYCLING-MAD student from Cricklade has reached the finals of a worldwide search for people dedicated to tackling climate change.

Sara Sanders, 21, of Reeds, and three other UK finalists will be travelling to Rotterdam on Friday.

Two finalists will be selected to become UK climate ambassadors and get to learn about the causes, politics and potential solutions to global warming.

If picked, Sara, who is studying for a geography degree at the University of Bath, will get to take part in a six-month course about environmental issues.

Sara said: "I am delighted to have come so far and feel that already the experience has helped me to develop my ideas on climate change. My focus is on getting people out of cars and using more sustainable forms of transport.

"Cycling has a big part to play as it reduces emissions, cuts congestion and supports healthy lifestyles. Unfortunately at university in Bath I see few students cycling or getting the bus and far too many driving.

"Swindon has a good network of cycle paths and it would be fantastic to see more people using them and doing their bit for the environment.

"My attitude towards climate change is very much leading by example and if I become an ambassador I would like to be the community face of climate change.

"Climate change is a big issue at the moment and I am determined to do my bit and encourage others to help reduce the problem," she said. Sara has already helped Swindon become more environmentally friendly.

While doing work experience with Active Swindon, a lottery project that encourages local people to exercise, Sara designed a three-mile heritage walk.

She also worked with Swindon Council to encourage schools to go green.

Dedicated environment campaigner Sara took part in a project, while taking her A-levels at Swindon College, to show how difficult it is for people in developing countries to access clean water.

Sara and around 30 classmates carried gallons of water in buckets and bottles from the River Ray, off Wootton Bassett Road, to the college for Third World charity Water Aid.

As part of the climate change course, the ambassadors will get to spend 10 days studying changes to sea ice in the Arctic.

The Climate Change College Sara is hoping to attend is the result of a partnership with Ben & Jerry's ice-cream, which funds the college and provides the administration, and the World Wildlife Fund, which provides the course content.

People aged between 18 to 30 can enter to be in the running for a place, although entries for this year closed last month.

As well as two UK ambassadors there will also be two from the Netherlands and one each from Ireland and Germany.

Further information on the college is available from www.climatechangecollege.org with results from this weekend's final also posted there when they are announced.

Sara said: "I saw an advert for the project at the cinema. Then I had to enter online.

"I made a video, which people voted on. And then I had to come up with a climate campaign.

"My campaign was to get people cycling.

"Most people I spoke to said they would be more keen to cycle if there were adequate showers and lockers.

"If I get accepted as an ambassador, that will be one of the things I'll be trying to get done.

"I'll be taking the train to Rotterdam with the rest of the UK finalists. We haven't been told what we will have to do in the final yet. It's all being kept top secret.

"The heritage walk I came up with at Active Swindon was all about getting people moving without it costing lots of money.

"The walk goes around the railway terraces, through the outlet village and back past several churches.

Read all about our Time To Change campaign and find out how you can help save the planet.