RNLI volunteer to lead team at Antarctica PO

A CREW member from Plymouth's lifeboat station is spending Christmas in the freezing depths of Antarctica as part of a five-month expedition, where she will look after the world's southernmost post office.

- ANDY PHILLIPS

Lou Hoskin, who is a volunteer for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station in Plymouth, has been picked by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKAHT) to maintain the post office at the bottom of the world.

Based on Goudier Island, Lou is part of a five-strong team who will be stationed for the Austral Summer at Base A, Port Lockroy, known as the birthplace for British Antarctic Science.

Living in constant daylight, the team will manage the world's southernmost post office, gift shop and museum.

They will handle thousands of postcards sent from Port Lockroy and welcome visitors from cruise ships.