TWO North-East soldiers are setting out on a trip of a lifetime to Antarctica.
Sergeant Stephen Ayers, from the 15 Signal Regiment, and Captain Harry Scrope, of the Coldstream Guards, are joining a team for an expedition over Christmas and New Year.
The 16-strong British Army Antarctic Expedition will travel to the Falkland Islands on Sunday and will then prepare their 72ft steel yacht for three weeks.
The yacht will set sale at the end of November and stay in the Antarctica for eight to ten weeks.
The aim of the trip is to climb unexplored peaks and to do scientific research and mapping in the area.
Sgt Ayers, 29, whose family all live in Darlington, said: "I applied to join the team but never thought I would get in.
"I went on a selection course and was chosen out of 50 people to take part.
"I have done a lot of training and personal fitness training. I can't wait, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance."
Capt Scrope, 27, is from Danby on Yore, Leyburn, in North Yorkshire
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