A STRUCTURAL engineer from Watford is facing the design challenge of his career to come up with plans for a new research station on an ice shelf in Antarctica.

Michael Wright, of Dellfield Close, Watford, has been in Antarctica since Sunday, January 9, to carry out an inspection of the site earmarked for the new station and talk to scientists.

The father-of-three works for one of three firms shortlisted in a competition to design a new survey station to replace the British Antarctic Survey Station Halley, which is located on the edge of the ice continent.

This station has been recording meteorological and atmospheric information since the 1950's and is of world importance in identifying trends in climate change and global warming.

The first ice station Halley was constructed by the British in 1956 on the Brunt Ice Shelf and was quickly inundated with snow. Three successive stations were built, although they were eventually crushed by the ice before Halley V was built.

Mr Wright, 45, said via e-mail of his experience: "It's cold at Halley and we have been warned about the dangers of frostbite, so we quite regularly need to wrap up in up to five layers of clothing just to survive outside.

"The sun's radiation is very powerful also, partly due to the lack of ozone above us, so everyone must put sun cream on before going outside, even on completely overcast days even if you go out at night.

"This time of year it is summer and the sun never sets, so it is never dark, which takes a while to get used to."

Mr Halley has been keeping his eldest son Tom and his classmates at Cassiobury Infants and Nursery School updated on his polar experiences through a regular e-mails.

When he returns next week he will visit the pupils to recount his adventures first hand.

His wife Danielle said: "Tom thinks his dad is so cool. He is really excited about the fact he has gone to the Antarctic."