A MONMOUTH school boy fought for survival as he enjoyed a day most 12-year-olds could only dream of.

Second form pupil Ben Butt spent a day with survival expert Ray Mears after winning an Ordnance Survey free maps competition.

Entrants had to answer five mapping questions and then create their own map symbol and give the reasons behind it.

Ben fought competition against more then 4,600 other entries from across the country to gain a place as one of the 12 winners.

The Haberdashers pupil from Rockfield in Monmouth travelled to Ashdown Forrest in East Sussex on Saturday, October 4, to spend the day with the TV survival expert.

Ray gave the winners tips on how to avoid getting lost and how to make a fire using flint and tree bark before making them hot drinks with water from the nearby stream.

Ben and the other winners discovered a badger set, tracked wild animals and built a shelter.

Ray also showed them a special fungus which acts like an antiseptic plaster.

Ben said: “The bushcraft day was a fantastic experience. It was great to meet Ray Mears and learn about his adventures and survival techniques.”