A FORMER Great Sankey High School pupil who set up a travel magazine after exploring the wonders of South East Asia and Nepal is calling on her hometown for help.

Nikki Scott, founder and editor of South East Asia Backpacker, is in the running to win $5,000, almost £4,000, as part of a website design competition by Flatsome.

Facebook users can show their support by liking a photograph of the website on the social media site. 

Nikki, who now runs the company with her partner Dave Noakes, set up the business after buying a one-way ticket to Kathmandu at the age of 23.

She quickly decided that she never wanted to go back to the nine-to-five job and launched the magazine in 2009.

Her vision was to create a travel diary for everyone where people could share stories and advice about life on the road. 

Over the past five years she has printed 30 magazines as well as writing a book about her experience.

The 33-year-old, who previously lived in Great Sankey, said: "We're not some corporate monstrosity – we are just Nikki and Dave. This is it.

"It's just one click and like and we might beat the jewellery website that is currently number one as we are in second place.

"We are also planning to give away $1,000 USD of the $5,000 USD prize to someone in the list of people who has voted for us. 

"We're giving away the money as travel vouchers to spend on our website."

The deadline closes next Tuesday. More here

To vote click here or watch their YouTube plea click here.