A TEAM of Preston sign language interpreters are jetting off to the Arctic with hundreds of deaf people.

Members of the Mary Cross Trust will brave the arctic conditions as they face their greatest challenge yet - signing in Lapland.

Course leader Val Hall says: "Fortunately we're being given suits to help us cope with the cold and prevent red noses."

While participants in the Deaf Arctic Challenge try their hands at snow-based events, the interpreters will be trying to keep their hands warm.

But thick ski gloves won't make the signing easy!

Interpreter Carol Cuming said: "We'll have to use thinner thermal gloves when we need to sign."

Everyone will be driving reindeer sleighs, husky sledges and snowmobiles, skiing and competing in rally cars. And Val Hall said: "Apparently you need a licence to drive a reindeer, but we can arrange that on the day."

The highlight of their stay will be a visit to Father Christmas village, posting letters from pupils at the Royal Cross School for deaf children, which celebrated its centenary last year.

The volunteer interpreters and more than 90 teams of competitors fly out to Rovaniemi, Lapland in November.

The Mary Cross Trust provides a wide range of services for deaf people, including sign language courses, 'deaf awareness' training and interpreting at law courts and colleges.

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