A local man may still get home from Australia for Christmas – even though he has spent his air fare on a mercy mission.

Carpenter Gary Niner, 29, from Liskeard, has been living and working Down Under for almost two years.

He had saved for an air ticket to come home for Christmas to surprise his mum Gill, but then spent the money on charity work in Cambodia.

However, he may still get his festive wish.

Touched by his personal sacrifice of helping out in an impoverished village through the New Hope Cambodia Organisation, 44 people are supporting a bid to get Gary home through Pirate FM's 'Flying Home for Christmas' competition.

Nominations have closed and the radio station will announce next Friday who has been chosen from among the nominees to be flown back to Cornwall to be with their loved ones. Gary went to the Cambodian village of Siem Reap in November. He taught children English and maths, took part in distributing food rations and put his carpentry skills to good use by helping to build a home.

Gary travelled to Cambodia with his partner Vinisha, a trainee doctor.

He said: 'We hope to go back there one day. They have lost a whole generation through mass murder, corruption and lack of education.

'I had planned on going home on Christmas Eve, and knocking on my mum's front door dressed as Santa. But I know she fully supports what I did.'

Gary's family are hoping he wins the contest.