BUILDING somewhere to live will be one of the first tasks facing Annabel Roberts when she arrives in Phuket to take part in the tsunami disaster relief effort.

The 21-year-old recruitment consultant flew to Bangkok yesterday to join United Volunteers, working with the Thai relief agency.

Ms Roberts, from Malvern Road, St John's, was one of the first to volunteer after hearing news of the disaster and will be recruiting other volunteers, chiefly people with medical or labouring skills.

"Twelve of us are going out initially to set everything up and we expect to be deploying about 300 volunteers from the end of January," said the former pupil of St Mary's Convent School and Worcester Sixth Form College.

"The first thing we'll have to do is build ourselves somewhere to live - it's not going to be glamorous, but it's not much hardship when you consider what people there have lost."

Ms Roberts' colleagues at AC Selection, The Cross, Worcester and three other offices in the Midlands and South Wales have raised £670 for medical supplies, which she will take with her.

The company is also keeping her job open for her to return to when she comes back in three months' time.

"I am going to Phuket first, but will also be working at Bangtao Beach, Phi Phi and Khao Lak," she said.

"I am going to be doing quite a bit of administrative work, but also getting stuck in with some hands-on help if I can."