A SOLDIER taking part in a major exploration of the Antarctic has saved the expedition's leader from plunging to certain death 200ft down an icy crevasse.

Quick-thinking Captain Harry Scrope saved the life of Major James Harris when the snow-covered ground suddenly gave way beneath his skis and he fell into a gaping chasm.

Major Harris was attached by rope to Capt Scrope and experienced mountaineer Tim Hall, who threw themselves to the ground and dug into the hard-packed snow for the grip to save their friend.

Major Harris fell 10ft and was left dangling precariously above the crevasse, which was so deep they couldn't see the bottom.

And for two tension-packed hours, they managed to hold on to their colleague, weighed down by his 20kg backpack, before managing to haul their leader back to safety by sheer brute force.

Last night, Capt Scrope's family in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, praised the 27-year-old's heroic part in the rescue effort.

His mother, Jane, of Danby Hall, near Middleham, said: "He's always been a great team man. I think his mates would say he's got a lot of team spirit.

"It is a hazard of that part of the world, but he's done tremendously because he is completely new to this, he's never been on an Antarctic expedition before."

Major Harris said: "It was scary. I was hanging by a rope and in the back of your mind you wonder what would happen if it broke."

The incident happened as nine climbers on the expedition launched their attempt on the Forbidden Plateau, on the frozen continent's peninsula, and succeeded in their first objective of installing a cache of food rations near the top.

The expedition is exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, 85 years after legendary adventurer Sir Ernest Shackleton's voyage to the region.

The 16 team members, who also include Sergeant Stephen Ayers, from Darlington, will also be collecting samples and studying wildlife for the British Antarctic Survey and the Scott Polar Research Institute.

Capt Scrope, of the Coldstream Guards, was commissioned into the Army in December 1997. He is expected to return home to see his mother and father, Simon, and sister, Emily, in February.