A FORMER soldier will be swapping the dusty Afghan desert for the Arctic tundra when he takes on the trip of a lifetime.

Rob Phillips has signed up to become part of a 10-strong team which will trek to the Magnetic North Pole next year.

The 30-year-old, who has seen service in Iraq, Afghanistan and Belise, is raising money for the Help for Heroes charity, which raises money for British servicemen who have been wounded overseas.

He said: "It will be a unique experience. We will fly to Canada and then walk to the magnetic north pole, which is 415 miles.

"We will not be using dogs or sledges and it will be a long, hard walk, but it is something I can challenge myself to achieve. I have had some extreme cold weather training for serving in the Afghan hills but this will be something different."

Rob, from Alderton, came out of the Army 10 months ago after eight years in the service and said the polar trip was a way of replacing the adrenaline rush of active service.

He said: "I think that is probably true. A friend of mine mentioned the expedition to me and my ears started twitching.

"As well as the draw of the trip, raising money for Help for Heroes was a big bonus for me.

"I have good friends who have been seriously injured in action, some have lost limbs and the work Help for Heroes does is invaluable."

Rob said he had been watching adventurers Ben Fogle and James Cracknell, who trekked to the South Pole this year, on television to pick up some hints for the expedition.

If successful, Rob and his companions will be become the first mixed-sex British team to reach the Magnetic North Pole on foot.

Rob, who is married to Katie and is currently working in a forensics lab, is looking for sponsorship to help finance the trip.

He said: "I have joined late after someone dropped out so I am playing catch-up. I am looking for anyone who would like to sponsor me to pay the costs of the trip. I am also, of course, taking pledges for Help for Heroes."

To sponsor Rob, contact Echo reporter Andrew McGill on 01242 271830.