Young scientists from a Bradford secondary school are set to investigate some of the world's rarest plant, animal and aquatic species during a two-week Central American adventure.

Sixth formers from Hanson School will travel to Honduras where they will work alongside top academics from Oxford University as part of pioneering research project Operation Wallacea.

The once-in-a-lifetime trip will see the 12-strong group trek deep into one of the world's last truly wild habitats - the Cusuco National Park - believed to be home to a host of undiscovered species.

They will then move on to the Cayos Cochinos Islands, off the country's northern coastline, from where they will don diving equipment to monitor movements on the nearby Mesoamerican barrier reef.

The pupils, all A-level biology students, will join teams of scientists from the UK, US, Spain and France who have come together in a bid to save the country's stunning natural resources.

Steven Rogers, 18, said: "In the cloud forest we will follow in the footsteps of David Attenborough by climbing 40 metres into the tree top canopy to log different tree and animal species.

"We will also have the chance to go out and look at birds, small mammals, insects and primates including howler monkeys. We will take DNA samples and tag some of the species."

Operation Wallacea aims to log animal, plant and marine species to support a $1 million grant application which will be used to help secure both sites.

Ruth Whitehead, head of science at Hanson, said: "The project is also looking at which species are thriving and which are not and will assess what can be done to help those which are endangered.

"During week two we will move to the Cayos Cochinos islands where we will be looking at marine ecology on what is the world's second largest barrier reef.

"Like the Great Barrier Reef there has been a lot of erosion. We will be camping on the beach and carrying out field work studies which will include diving and snorkelling.

"We will be working alongside research scientists from Oxford University. You cannot teach what the pupils will learn in school."

The sixth formers will gain the internationally-recognised PADI open water diving qualification before exploring the reef.

Common visitors to the underwater habitat include the coral pit viper, whale shark and hawksbill turtle.

Operation Wallacea has so far identified seven new species of insect as well as never-before seen types of salamander, rat and humming bird.

Grant Thomas, 18, said: "I cannot wait to go. We have spent all our lives learning so it will be good to put it into practice."

Claire Bartle, 17, added: "We will all be given certain jobs to do including estimating the light coming through the cloud forest canopy."

While in the country, the Hanson youngsters will travel by donkey, shower under a waterfall using only environmentally-friendly soap and sleep in tents or hammocks.

The group is still looking for cash to fund the trip, which will take place from July 10 to July 24. Contact the school on (01274) 776200 if you can help.