A YORK teenager who has been a St John Ambulance volunteer for more than a decade is turning her back on people for the time being in order to concentrate on caring for animals.

Rose Stephenson, 17, of Acomb, was named the North Yorkshire and Teesside Cadet of the Year for her dedication to the charity, which sees her attend public events and offer first aid assistance.

But, she said, her real passion is caring for animals and she has put her duties on the back burner so she can concentrate on her A-levels - hopefully gaining the grades she needs for a five-year veterinary science course.

The All Saints' sixth-form pupil said she had always loved animals, but work experience at Flamingo Land, near Malton, convinced her that she wanted to make them her career.

She said: "When I was really little I wanted to be a vet, then a firefighter. But when I was 14 I did work experience at Flamingo Land and I decided then I wanted to work with animals.

"I've never really wanted to be a doctor. I can't explain it - I just prefer to work with animals.

"To take the course you have to have lots of work experience with animals, but extra curricular activities as well, so the St John Ambulance is great because it's first aid."

Rose said after her work experience at Flamingo Land, the zoo offered her a summer job and she now conducts the parrot shows. She also does regular work experience with vet Matthew Brash at his practice in Stamford Bridge.

But she is keen to return fully to her commitments with St John Ambulance, which she joined as a Badger at the age of six, and has given her support to the ongoing Evening Press-backed Lifesavers' appeal to buy a new Crusader ambulance to be used in the York area.

Rose said: "It would make life so much easier if we had a new ambulance because I don't think we have got one of our own."

To contribute to the appeal send cheques made payable to St John Ambulance Appeal, c/o David Sutton, at St John Ambulance, St John House, 236 Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 2EZ, or go into any high street bank and pay into account number 60382078, sort code 20-82-94.

Updated: 11:07 Monday, January 13, 2003