GLOBE-trotting Phil Bamber is all set to swap the delights of Newton-le-Willows for the steamy heat of the Tropics.

For the 25-year-old is leaving his job as a mathematics teacher at St Aelred's Catholic Technology College to spend 26 months in Papua New Guinea on Voluntary Service Overseas.

Phil, who has taught at St aelred's for three years, is no stranger to working overseas, having trained teachers in Southern India and Tibet. And earlier this year he helped pupils at St Aelred's to raise almost £7,000 to provide a well for an Indian village.

Now his next stop is St Ignatius Roman Catholic School in Aitape in the Sahandra province of Papua New Guinea.

He said: "I am really looking forward to this new challenge although I will miss my friends, colleagues and pupils at St Aelred's."