A DOCTOR with a passion for the environment has landed a place on a special expedition.

Dr Hilary Nash will sail from Panama City to San Cristobal island in the Galapagos as part of an all-women voyage to research the impact of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans.

The eXXpedition Round The World project is made up of 30 different legs and will take more than two years to cover 38,000 nautical miles of some of the densest plastic accumulation zones.

Hilary, who lives in Bristol Street in Brighton, said she feels very lucky to have been chosen as a crew member for the Panama leg of the voyage.

The 41-year-old locum GP said: “More than 10,000 women applied from all over the world and I am one of 300 to be going on the trip.

“A friend had told me about the project as I was always banging on about plastic pollution. I thought it was an incredible idea and right up my street.”

During the voyage, the team of ten crew members on Hilary’s boat will collect water samples and analyse them onboard for plastic toxicity.

Hilary said: “It’s something I have cared about for a long time, and plastic pollution is such a pressing issue at the moment.

“We all saw Blue Planet – that was very upsetting and an eye opener for a lot of people. It’s heart-breaking when you see footage like albatrosses trying to feed their babies plastic.

“For a long time I have been trying to reach out to people to change their ways when it comes to plastic.

“I thought this would be a great way to have more of an impact and also to get more knowledge to bring home to the community.”

Hilary will set sail on January 28 and is excited to be part of an all-women team, which includes another Brighton resident and artist, Candy Medusa.

Hilary said: “Candy and I did not know each other before this trip was organised, but it’s great she’s on the same boat as me.

“The idea is to bring women together from all different professions, to really utilise everyone’s different skills.

“The other aspect is to try to promote the reputation of women in science and technology careers and that’s very important to me.”

Hilary raised more than £4,000 to take part in the voyage, and was sponsored by local businesses.

She said: “I’m very passionate about supporting all the local Brighton businesses which are working to go plastic-free. I’m really grateful to the Open Bakery in Kemp Town, who are my biggest sponsor, and they’re good for sustainability.

“I’m excited but nervous too. It’s all about bringing the story home.”