A CORNISH flag bearing the signatures of South East Cornwall school children will be flying over the icy expanses of the Antarctic in the New Year.

Pictured are the year 5 and 6 pupils of Turtles Clas at St Germans School with Captain Matt Syrett RN.

Captain Syrett is taking the flag and the emblem of the children’s school, St Germans, to the Antarctic aboard the Royal Navy’s ice patrol ship HMS Protector.

Capt Syrett has links with the school.

Head teacher Sarah Marshall said the children are looking forward to communicating via email and WhatsApp with Captain Syrett during his seven-month tour of duty.

She said: ‘This is a wonderful opportunity for the children to learn directly from the experiences of someone travelling and working in this region.

‘The link will tie in with the children’s topic for the Spring Term when they will be learning about Ernest Shackleton’s expedition to the Antarctic.’