Jungle trip Ashley caught in uprising

Ashley Glen, 23, who arrived in Ecuador on Wednesday at the start of an expedition to the Amazonian jungle, is trapped in the capital Quito because of the fierce battle sparked by a rebellion by police officers in protest at government austerity measures.

The country's president, Rafael Correa, had to be rescued by the army from a hospital and treated for the effects of tear gas fired by police. Two people died and dozens have been injured in the unrest.

Writing on Facebook, Ms Glen, from Gilmerton, said: "We are now currently in the middle of an army-police war. Can hear shots fired everywhere!

"This is really intense. There's a hostel on fire down the road and we're stuck indoors. We can hear guns firing off at the hospital 15 mins away."

Later Ms Glen, who is a keen photographer and maker of documentaries, describes her frustration at not being able to leave the hostel where she is staying in order to record the events around her.

She wrote: "British embassy has contacted us but only to tell us to stay indoors.

"The army are everywhere, in the sky, on the streets. and the police have gone nuts. Hostel down the road was set on fire and people are just walking about yielding weapons."

Ms Glen's father Allan said he and his wife Sheena had been in touch with her via the internet.

He said: "We're a bit concerned, but she is quite sensible and won't do anything silly."

"Hopefully, it will be cleared up quickly and she can get out to the Amazon."

Ms Glen gave up her job at Cafe Marina in Cockburn Street to travel to the jungle. She is due to spend five months with the Shuar tribe, once famous for shrinking human heads but which now restricts its activities to monkey heads.