'Freezing Antarctica is my home for Christmas'

An armed forces veteran is spending Christmas more than 10,000 miles away from home in one of the planet's most challenging locations.

Michael Young will be swapping a festive dinner at his warm village home in Esh Winning, County Durham, with the frozen landscape of Antarctica as he helps support biological research for the British Antarctic Survey.

Based at the Rothera Research Station on Adelaide Island, the 44-year-old radio operator has been living out in the snow since October, ensuring scientists' safety out in the field.

Mr Young admitted that, while he will miss his family on Christmas Day, he could not turn down a job he loves and "that makes a big difference".

"To come and work in such a place like this you've got to know what you're coming into because you are isolated from the world," said Mr Young, who has previously served in communications and bomb disposal for the military.

"It is quite a distance from home but everyone who comes here is like-minded.

"We all come here for a purpose, we know what our role is and we are all here to support."

Mr Young had worked at the British Antarctic facility in 2002 and said it was "a dream come true to come back".

Despite technology progressing so he can call home more regularly, he said the job remains the same.

His role as a radio operator involves communicating with planes, supporting scientists with equipment and entertaining teams over the radio.

It can be a tough environment for the 22-member team as they battle temperatures between 0°C and 5°C and 24-hour daylight throughout December.

"It is quite strange as you get up and pop outside and its 2am and you think it is time to get up for work.

"The sun is shining outside, so it does tend to mess with your brain a little bit but you do get used to it."

Seals, humpback whales and penguins are a regular feature of life at the station.

"I got up early one morning and I opened the door and the first thing I saw was the big humpback whale rising out of the water," Mr Young said.

"It was only about 150 metres away from where I was stood."

During moments of spare time snowboarding and skiing are on offer as well as a climbing wall, music room and games nights.

Mr Young said the team, who all trained together before leaving the UK, will have a sit down Christmas dinner on the 25 December with music, Christmas carols and games.

"I am missing my family, my wife Claire and my two boys, but to come to a different part of the world is a big difference," he said.

"It is a bit gutting to miss them but I love what I do here."

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