A WATERFOOT man is heading to Australia on a science project to study the world's oldest mammal -- the echidna.

Ron Crisp is one of just 100 people to be awarded an Earthwatch Millennium Award this September and the scheme will see him travel half-way around the world next month to work with leading scientists on the project Kangaroo Island Echidnas.

Mr Crisp, of Sunningdale Avenue, said: "I admire greatly the work of Earthwatch -- a quietly effective international conservation organisation with whom I shall be proud to work.

"The echidna, an almost unique mammal, has lasted 120 million years and I'd like to help find out how it does it by going on this project.

"The echidna? You know the one, that small Australian animal that looks rather like a hedgehog on steroids!"

The Earthwatch Millennium Award Scheme is funded by £1.3million of National Lottery money which is awarded by the Millennium Commission and is supported by Royal and Sun Alliance.

Over a three-year period the programme will bring opportunities for 400 people aged 50 and over from all over the UK to take part in international conservation projects.

Mr Crisp will be in Australia for two weeks.

On his return he will draw up a community action plan and put his new experience to work by helping with local conservation and volunteering projects. Julian Laird, director of programmes at Earthwatch, said: "These awards will change lives by giving people global horizons and proving to them that they can make a difference to the environment in the UK. "The awards are targeted specifically at the over fifties because this is an age group largely overlooked by mainstream environmental education activities."

Other projects included studying Spanish dolphins, river otters of Chile, Madagascar carnivores and Utah canyon rock art.

Anyone who wants to apply to take part in the scheme can call 01865 318 850 or write to Earthwatch Millennium Office, 57 Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6HJ.