A COTSWOLD woman will be one of the last people in history to visit a landscape described as a 'wonder of the world' - just days before it disappears underwater.

Sheila Crump, of Alderton, near Winchcombe, is preparing to trek through the Three Gorges area of the Yangtze River in China to raise money for a children's hospice.

As part of one of the most ambitious civil engineering projects ever undertaken the Chinese Government is building a giant dam which will create the world's largest man-made lake by 2009.

Mrs Crump's fundraising exhibition had originally been planned for October, but due to a change of plan by the Chinese authorities the process of moving 1,500,000 people and starting the flooding process will be under way by then.

With a new date for the 85km trek set for May, Mrs Crump will arrive home less than a week before the water starts to submerge the area. "We will be among the last people ever to walk in this landscape," she said.

The walk is set to benefit the Acorns Three County's Appeal to build a new children's home to serve the needs of people in Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire.

Mrs Crump is holding a tabletop sale this weekend to help her reach her target of £5,000.

The sale will be held at Alderton Village Hall this Saturday, April 12 from 10am to 12noon.

She is still looking for additional help to reach her target. She can be contacted on 01242 620732.