BACKPACKER Louise Saunders has told how the discovery of a body on the mountain she was stranded on brought home the danger she faced.

And nineteen-year-old Louise - who retraced her steps up Australia's Mount Tyson last month - said it was her friends who made the grimdiscovery just two days later.

She tackled the rainforested slopes near Tully in Queensland - on which she spent three nights in November after losing a path - with Aussie boyfriend Steven Wong and several others when she flew back to Australia following a family Christmas in Kidderminster. She was reunited with travelling pal Jo Woodward.

But soon after their ascent remains believed to be those of a young rock-climber who disappeared more than three years ago were discovered.

Boyd McNamara, from Western Australia, headed up Mount Tyson alone in 1999 aged 19 to explore the rainforest and search out rock faces.

Louise said it was her friends who made the discovery.

She added: "The body wasn't far from where I stopped for a day. I woke up to it then - I really was in danger."

The massive search for Louise last year sparked improvements designed to stop people straying off the beaten track.

"They've changed it now - they've got proper signs all along the way making sure you've got your phone switched on because of what happened to me."

She added: "It was strange going back up but I'm glad I did it."

Shereturned from Australia for good last week.

Louise returned to another old haunt - Kidderminster College, where she took a beauty therapy course - on Monday with mum Elizabeth who gave an informal talk to students urging them to keep in touch with their families while travelling.

Mrs Saunders, 43, of Waterside Grange, stressed people should not cancel plans but should take care.

"Travelling is a wonderful experience and this shouldn't put people off, so long as they're careful and take every precaution."

She added Louise had planned to phone her before she attempted to climb the mountain the first time - and had she done so she would probably have talked her daughter out of it.