AN outdoor enthusiast is hoping to inspire young women to explore the same career path by applying to take part in an Arctic expedition.

Abi Atkinson, who runs the Kingsway Adventure Centre, in Middleton-in-Teesdale, with her husband Rob is appealing for votes in a competition to win a place on an international Polar expedition next April.

The former primary school teacher said the trip, also known as Fjällräven Polar, would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that would see her tackle a week-long, 300km journey on a dog sled through the Arctic tundra.

But the 26-year-old, of Mickleton, in Teesdale, needs votes in the hope of being one of two candidates from the UK and about 30 from across the globe to take part.

“I have never challenged myself like that before and it would just be an incredible experience,” she said. “After being a primary school teacher I also wanted to show that girls can do the outdoors just as much as boys.”

The deadline for votes is December 15.

To vote for Mrs Atkinson visit http://polar.fjallraven.com/contestant/?id=117