A TEENAGER from Accrington who ventured inside the Arctic Circle last year is heading south for his latest expedition - a research trip to Antarctica.

Linden Davies, 17, of St John's Close, Baxenden, will join a 15-strong team of explorers set to land at South Georgia, Antarctica, on Christmas Eve.

Linden, a sixth former at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, will spend time in the Falkland Islands before heading for the coldest continent for four weeks studying wildlife, archaeology and plants.

The group will then return to the Falklands before heading to either Patagonia or the Tierra del Fuego mountains at the southernmost tip of South America to carry out reconnaissance work for possible future expeditions.

The venture is organised by the charity BSES Expeditions, which has been organising trips to remote places for young people since 1932.

Linden already had a taste of the cold when he went to the Arctic mountains of the north east Greenland to study glaciers, wildlife and plants.

Linden enjoys walking and other outdoor pursuits and also helps out at the 1st Baxenden Scout group.

He and his fellow expedition members will seen in the new millennium sheltering in tents and studying ecological problems like the impact of reindeers, who have destroyed native plants since they were introduced by whalers in 1912.

Linden has to raise £7,900 for the trip and is looking for support from people and businesses in East Lancashire.

Anyone wishing to sponsor him can call him on 01254 388102 or e-mail him at linden.davies

@talk21.com

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