A KIDDERMINSTER teenager now has friends across the world after attending a Guide camp in Mexico.

Katherine Jones, of Low Habberley, flew out to Central America to take part in an event celebrating 75 years of Guiding in Mexico.

The 16-year-old, who is a student at King Charles I School and a young leader for 1st Wilden Guides, stayed in Oaxtepec, 60 miles south of Mexico City.

The camp to celebrate the Mexican Guiding anniversary was attended by more than 200 Guides and leaders.

Before she was given a place, Katherine had to go to a selection weekend, which was held for people interested in going abroad with Guides, and she was tested to see how she dealt with several challenges and activities.

After she was chosen, she had to raise £1,400 to fund her trip. She completed a sponsored swim, which was equivalent to the width of the English Channel, and packed bags at the Co-op store in Stourport.

Katherine, who also spent four days with a host family in Mexico, said she hoped to keep in touch with all the people she had met, adding she felt "privileged" to have been given the opportunity.

She said: "I think it was meeting people I would never have met in my life, had I not gone, that I enjoyed the most."