A local community post office has been helping to train the next postmistress of Antarctica.

Florence Barrow, 22, who has just graduated, has been offered the job at the world's most southerly public post office by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, a British charity based near Usk.

Florence spent the day at The Bryn Post Office (aka The Bryn Trading Post) with Postmaster Norman Lewis to find out what the job entails.

"Norman was really helpful and explained everything clearly from how to identify a First Day Cover to how to frank a postcard!" said Florence.

Rachel Morgan, Director of the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, said: "We were delighted that Florence could train in our local community post office. Any post office plays a special role in connecting its local community with the wider world, whether it's based in Antarctica or Bryn."

The Bryn Trading Post - run by volunteers for the benefit of the community - was set up in 2006 after the original post office and shop closed in 2004.

Florence will be working in a former British research station at Port Lockroy on the Antarctic Peninsula with three other team members. The historic building, which is only accessible by ship, operates as a 'living museum' and has been restored to its 1960s appearance to give tourists a glimpse of what life was like for early explorers and scientists. It is only open during the Austral summer, when the ice is thin enough for ships to reach the area.