A LIFE on the ocean wave awaits an 18-year-old Wirral student . . .

Katie Lloyd, a catering student at Wirral Metropolitan College's Carlett Park campus, is to work as a cook's mate in the galley of a schooner in the Tall Ships race this August.

She will be serving up meals to all the crew of the Sir Winston Churchill during the Lisbon to Dublin leg of the race.

Katies, who lives in Eastham, is no stranger to the sea - this will be her second voyage organised by The Sail Training Association. In August, 1996, she sailed from Copenhagen to London to fulfil the criterion of expedition experience for the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Medal.

Katie, who is studying GNVQ Foundation Hospitality and Catering and NVQs in Food Service and Preparation, will assist in the production of food for a crew of up to 40 members.

"These trips give you a better outlook on life," she said. "They improve team work skills, confidence and help you build working relationships with people from different backgrounds."

Once the Sir Winston Churchill reaches Dublin, though, Katie becomes a landlubber again - in September she goes back to college.

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