A SOLDIER from Darlington will canoe 275 miles through Canada's Arctic wilderness as part of a month-long scientific expedition in July.

Staff Sergeant Rob Oliver, 36, serving with the 42 Engineer Regiment Royal Engineers, will take part in the trip along the Hood River with four other military members and one scientist.

They will be carrying out research on environmental and evolutionary biology for St Andrew's University and the Museum of Nature in Ottawa.

Group members will have to carry all their equipment as they travel down the river, which is made up of a series of lakes for the first 60 miles. These can still be ice-choked in July.

Following that they will paddle through unknown white-water rapids and the largest waterfall in the polar region, Wilberforce Falls.

Rob said he was really looking forward to the trip, which is his second to Canada, and will enjoy working closely with a small team.

"We will be totally self-sufficient relying on each other, carrying everything we need and collecting the scientific data for St Andrews University.

"I enjoy being outdoors, canoeing, climbing, paragliding or walking."