EDWARD Bayliss is set for the trip of a lifetime after being selected by his employers to travel to Antarctica and learn about climate change.

The 26-year-old will make the 10,000-mile trip from his Ombersley home on Friday to meet up with experts and fellow travellers from all over the world.

Edward was one of 10 lucky npower employees selected to take part in the life changing expedition and now can’t wait to set off.

The credit control team manager got involved in the scheme after writing a 400-word essay expressing his desire to learn about the effects of global warming.

He said: “I saw an advert asking for outgoing people who love a challenge and it appealed to me right away.

“It was a once in a lifetime opportunity so I decided to go for it.”

The former Sytchampton and Stourport High School pupil will fly out to Argentina with nine other npower employees before meeting up with a further 80 travellers from South Africa, Australia and all over the world.

They will set sail from Ushuaia, the world’s most southerly city, then spend 12 days at sea exploring Antarctica to witness first hand, the effects of climate change.

He said: “I am very excited at the moment and can’t wait to view the awe-inspiring scenery and learn all about what is happening to the climate.

“We will see some fantastic wildlife such as penguins, killer whales and leopard seals.

“It is a journey into the unknown and I don’t know what to expect but I know it will challenge my current views on how I live my life.

“The whole point of the trip is to bring the knowledge back with me and help inspire people to think about changing their lifestyles.”

Mr Bayliss and his team of explorers will spend one night camping on the mainland with the rest of the time at sea.

He said: “The temperature will be about -10C whichis pretty cold and that is supposed to be their summer!”

The trip will be led by Robert Swann, who was the first man to walk to the North and South Pole and also the first person to live solely off renewable energy in Antarctica.

He showed that if it can be done in one of the harshest environments on earth then it can be done back home. Mr Bayliss visited Sytchampton First School, Stourport-on-Severn, last week to give a presentation to year five pupils about his forthcoming adventure.

Deputy headmaster Iris Fox said: “Edward is an ex-pupil and we are a carbon-friendly school so when he said he was coming to talk to the children about climate change we were delighted.”

And he is not the only member of his family travelling to the other side of the world.

His brother Tom, aged 29, also from Ombersley, who works for West Midlands Fire Service, will head to the Great Wall of China next week to raise money for charity.