AS the North-East basked in festive sunshine at least two people from the region were guaranteed a white Christmas on Tuesday, in one of the most inhospitable places on earth.

Instead of turkey with all the trimmings, Captain Harry Scrope and Sergeant Stephen Ayres feasted on a freeze-dried Army ration pack meal and a hot thermos of tea or coffee amid the frozen wastes of Antarctica.

But a little touch from home made all the difference. Sgt Ayres tucked into a miniature Christmas cake from his girlfriend, Georgina, 24, sent all the way from Darlington.

The pair are part of the British Army Antarctic Expedition which is exploring the frozen continent's Forbidden Plateau.

Capt Scrope, 27 of Danby on Yore, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire, and Sgt Ayers, 29, from the Eastbourne area of Darlington, spent the day trekking through snow and ice along the treacherous Forbidden Plateau - hauling sledges and backpacks full of precious rations.

The team, whose members have been exploring in the frozen continent since the beginning of December, have bedecked their tents with glittering decorations. But they have made few other concessions to the festive season.

Sgt Ayres said: ''We're spending Christmas Day sweating like hell, pulling a sledge uphill, but it's certainly one to remember, if only to get a view like this. It doesn't matter what day Christmas is, up here. When we get back to the yacht we'll have a bit more of a meal, I hope."

Despite the isolation, Sgt Ayres, managed a five- minute phone call on Saturday to mother Margaret, sister Jennifer and father Andy.

Mrs Ayres said: "He said it was freezing cold and snowy. He wished us all a merry Christmas.

"Because he left in November, and is half-way through his trip, we haven't been able to give him any presents.

"We are waiting until he comes home. We all missed him very much on Christmas Day, but he doesn't mind not being here. He loves the Army life.

"He said he will be going up some mountain or other and won't be able to contact us for another ten days."

Last week, The Northern Echo reported how Capt Scrope saved the life of expedition leader Major James Harris when the snow-covered ground suddenly gave way beneath his skis and he fell into a gaping chasm.

Maj Harris was attached by rope to Capt Scrope and experienced mountaineer Tim Hall.

The pair threw themselves to the ground and dug into the hard-packed snow to save their friend, who was left dangling above the crevasse.