DANCER Rachel Gildea is flying the flag for Oxford as she jets across the globe on an international carnival adventure.

The former Cheney School student is one of six people in the UK chosen to take part in project Destination Carnival.

The 26-year-old will show off her best moves at carnivals in Goa, India, and Cape Town, South Africa, before returning to share her wisdom with organisers of the Cowley Road Carnival.

Former trustee of Cowley Road Works, the team behind the East Oxford festival, Ms Gildea said: “It’s really interesting to see how other countries and communities celebrate.

“I think carnival means different things in different parts of the world. It’s really exciting to be working with such a diverse group of people all around the world and I feel very lucky to be part of it.”

Ms Gildea, who used to perform with Oxford Youth Dance, set off for Goa on Sunday, where she will work with six Indian dancers to produce a piece for the city’s carnival based on the theme Street Life.

She will then journey to Cape Town in March, working with dancers and circus performers from the South African city in time for its carnival.

The project, run by charity Brouhaha International, will also see the group of dancers perform in Liverpool and Edinburgh carnivals this July.

Ms Gildea, who has worked with East Oxford’s Pegasus Theatre and for festival Dancin’ Oxford, said she hoped to inspire Cowley Road Carnival performers with her travels.

The former East Oxford resident added: “I think it’s critical we share our experience and ideas. I feel passionate about the Cowley Road Carnival because it’s where I come from.

“Cowley Road is one of my favourite places and the carnival is a wonderful celebration of that area and the diversity of Oxford. Cowley Road Works is always trying to work out ways they can try to include more countries and cultures.

“It will be interesting to see what ideas we can take or how we can be inspired by other people.”

Last month, Cowley Road Works announced this year’s festival as All The World’s A Stage, inspired by Shakespeare. This year the Cowley Road festivities are on Sunday, July 10.