Tradesmen who have taken plumbing courses may either feel jealous of or pity for - one engineer who was sent to Antarctica to carry out work on the scientific facility there.

The experiences of Bristolian Mark Green and 42 other carpenters, plumbers, mechanics, electricians and doctors are the subject of a radio programme called Plumbers and Penguins, reported the Independent.

Many workers with plumbing course training may have preferred to stay on the more hospitable lands in the UK, but Mr Green signed up to be a part of the 2009 expedition to service boilers and other equipment at the scientific centre first established in 1956.

On a day when the sun was in the sky for just ten or 15 minutes, the publication quoted him as commenting: "To celebrate we're going to finish early, have a barbecue and become sun-worshippers. It's up to minus 40 [degrees C] again here."

Back in the comparably sunny and warm climes of the UK, Pimlico Plumbers has reported it is on track to enjoy record sales this financial year.

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