A Bradford woman's spirit of adventure has taken her to the other side of the world and into the heart of the Olympic games.

Twenty-year-old Gillian Smaldon set off on a round the world trip in February which has so far taken her to exotic places including India, Malaysia, and Singapore, on her route to Australia.

And now the intrepid explorer, from Eldwick, near Bingley, has arrived Down Under where she has found work at the Sydney Olympics.

Today Gillian is due to be on duty at the Triathlon events and next week she will be helping out at the Sydney velodrome for the Olympic cycling events.

She said: "Sydney is amazing at the moment.

"There's a brilliant atmosphere, and it's great to see all the nations together having fun.

"With the opening ceremony the tension had been building up all day.

"I was walking in the Botanical gardens and the sky was full of helicopters, and the triathalon track was being prepared for tomorrow, there's excitement everywhere. I'm doing my first Olympic shift today, I can't wait."

Gillian added: "The Olympic park is like being in Disney World, it's magical, it makes you want to stay for hours.

"The uniforms are funny, I'm sure you've seen them by now, I even have one myself! Everyone is having such a great time.

"It's like a dream being here. I've got so into it that I've booked some more tickets today! I'm going to see the baseball, some athletics, and I'm even going to the opening ceremony of the paralympics. I can't wait."

Gillian is keeping in touch with her father Rod Smaldon at home in Eldwick by sending him regular updates from the Fountain Internet Cafe, in Kings Cross, Sydney, where she also has a part time job.

Mr Smaldon, a company director, said: "I'm really proud of her. I think it's an absolutely brilliant experience going around the world and being at the Olympics.

"I was obviously a bit concerned about her safety when she set off but she's had a wonderful time.

"She did her A levels at Bingley Grammar School and then decided she was going to go off exploring with her friend."

Mr Smaldon is due to join his daughter in October to conclude her round the world and visit New Zealand, Honolulu, and Los Angeles.

But working at the world's biggest sporting event is not the first time Gillian has been thrust into the media spotlight.

She was interviewed on Australian television after a youth hostel she had been staying in Childers, 130 miles North of Brisbane, burnt down killing several 15 backpackers.

Gillian had already moved on from the hostel to Sydney when the tragedy occurred.