More and more sixth-formers are taking time off after exams to travel the world. But is it really safe?

DREAMS of taking a year off travelling after months of sitting exams are the light at the end of a long tunnel for many sixth-formers.

But while the gap year concept is exciting more and more young people, the prospect can be an anxious one for families left behind.

Thankfully, the tragedy that befell York student Caroline Stuttle, murdered while travelling in Australia, is still extremely rare.

But the safety of gap year students has been thrown into the spotlight by such cases, and we wanted to see what sort of an impact this was having.

We dropped in at Caroline's old school, Huntington School in York, to find out what travel-happy teenagers were planning to do after their A-levels.

Richard Proctor, 18, plans to go to Malaysia to be a missionary with York Community Church next February as part of a year off which will also include youth work in York.

"It's just an opportunity I'd like to take. One of my friends used to live in Malaysia and he said it's brilliant," Richard said.

His enthusiasm was echoed by 18-year-old Elizabeth Twist, who plans to go inter-railing round Italy, Spain and France and then on to a Greek island to do volunteer work for a turtle protection society.

Elizabeth said: "It might sound strange, but I thought it would be a good idea to go out and help with the turtle conservation, but I want to do marine biology for my degree so it makes sense in that light.

"I'm travelling with three friends and I have read up in some guides and also got advice from my brother who's been travelling before."

Elizabeth said that most people her age were aware of the dangers of travelling abroad, but believed if they behaved sensibly the risk was well worth it.

Some youngsters like Jessica Tarver, 17, are planning to go it alone. Jessica has her route all mapped out.

She plans to go backpacking round Australia and then on to India and Hong Kong.

She said: "I'm meeting other people out there at various points on the route in different countries.

"It's quite scary, but it should be better than going with one person. That way you get to go where you want when you want."

Jenny Smith and Helen Willis, both 17, have sisters who took gap years and said they had been lucky enough to get their advice when preparing for travels of their own.

Jenny, has chosen to go on an organised conservation project in the Australian outback which she found on www.gapyear.com

This website is one of many offering advice to youngsters setting off with everything from finances to insurance, where to stay and what to look out for.

Last week Caroline's killer, Ian Previte, lost the battle to have his conviction overturned.

Previte was found guilty last October of murdering and robbing 19-year-old Caroline in the town of Bundaberg three years ago.

Caroline's mum, Marjorie Marks-Stuttle, along with her son, Richard, and husband David Marks, established the charity Caroline's Rainbow Foundation, which gives help and advice to backpackers.

Mrs Marks-Stuttle said: "Safety awareness is very important to youngsters setting out on their gap year travels. I would say to anyone thinking about doing it to enjoy yourself - the world is a wonderful place - but do some research before you go and be aware of your surroundings.

"Another very important thing is to be aware of the culture of the country you are in."

The foundation's website www.carolinesrainbowfoundation.org has links to organisations like the Foreign Office giving advice for people off on their travels.

The foundation is also in the throes of organizing a safety seminar aimed at gap year students at York St John College on October 15.

Updated: 11:56 Wednesday, April 13, 2005