A YOUNG man who was told he "wouldn't go far" by his teachers has proved them wrong by securing a job at the other side of the world.

Richard Hall (24), of Heys Road, Prestwich, works for the British Antarctic Survey and in January he will travel to Antarctica where he will live and work as a biologist and ecologist for two and a half years.

For Richard, the job is the culmination of a lot of hard work and determination, which his teachers didn't seem to think he had as a young boy.

"When I was at primary school my teacher told my parents not to expect too much from me. They were told that I wouldn't go on to do great things. I had rudimentary reading and maths skills and didn't start learning properly until a lot later. At high school I was fairly average and came out with reasonable grades but nothing special."

After leaving Prestwich High School school, Richard attended Bury College then went on to study biology at Salford University before starting work for the Environment Agency in Preston.

He moved from the north specifically to take up the specialised job with the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge, where he has spent the past six weeks training for his long-term expedition.

As part of his preparation for sub-zero conditions, Richard has had to pass medical tests and had his wisdom teeth removed as there will be times when he is totally isolated from any medical help.

When he leaves Britain on January 12, it will be summer in Antarctica and the temperature will be 0 degrees, however, from March winter will set in at minus 40 degrees.

Richard's job as terrestrial field research assistant and lab manager will see him studying the biology and ecology of the remote continent, including looking at penguins and soil.

His base will be on Adelaide Island, not far from the Falkland Islands, and to start with he will share his new home with around 100 other people.

Richard said: "In March, that number will drop to around 20. In extreme emergencies it is possible to get a plane in and our supplies are delivered by a large ship. During the two and a half years, I will get a holiday but it will be spent in Antarctica going climbing, for example. It is pretty remote but I am looking forward to it. It isn't just a job, I think it will be a pretty positive experience."

Richard has come a long way since his primary schooldays and although he admits his maths is still "terrible" he has become an expert in report writing, an essential element of his work.

He said: " I would say teachers shouldn't think any less of their pupils just because they are not academic. I was lucky as I was, and still am, involved in scouting with the 1st Lancashire Mohawks at Heaton Park Methodist Church. The scouts gave me an interest and a love of the outdoors. Without them, I would have led a pretty boring life so far!"

Richard's father John is proud of his son's achievements and is looking forward to spending Christmas with him before he departs.

John said: "From being told at the age of eight that he wouldn't be academically very bright, Richard has gone on to university and now he is off to the Antarctica.

"I think he has done exceptionally well. We will all miss him terribly, but I am happy he is doing something he is interested in. He is a star."