TREKKING, canoeing and an unusual cooking presentation were among the experiences for a 19-year-old Mary Tavy man who spent ten weeks in Ghana.

Ben Goodman returned home for Christmas after the expedition with the youth charity Raleigh International.

He was one a group of around 96 young people from Devon and Cornwall who went to Ghana to help the people with basic health, education and environmental projects.

Ben worked on a project to build wood stoves for isolated villages. He also went trekking and canoeing around the world's largest man-made lake, Lake Volta.

Ben said: 'My adventure phase on Lake Volta has been the most interesting three weeks of my life in so many different ways. We began with a power shower under a 300ft waterfall followed by an amazing abseil.

'There have been more than a few other interesting experiences — trying to convince a local chief that you're not looking for gold, you're just collecting water!

'I've also got used to cooking in front of a live studio audience of about 60 villagers in true "Can't Cook, Won't Cook" West African style!

'As I look back on the last ten weeks and everything that has happened it has to be the best time of my life,' he added.