Banker Richard Lobley is swapping his office for the frozen Arctic to do his bit to combat global warming - and Bradford's birdlife.

The 50-year-old Guiseley man is among 500 HSBC staff taking part in a five-year scheme to undertake environmental projects worldwide.

He leaves next week for a two-week trip to Manitoba, in Canada, on the edge of the Arctic, where the main objective will be to monitor the amount of methane gas and carbon monoxide released into the earth's atmosphere.

But, as part of the deal, Bradford Ornithological Group, of which Mr Lobley is a member, gets four hundred dollars - about £250 - for equipment at Stockbridge Nature Reserve, Keighley.

The private reserve consists of a wetland and embankment designed to house a variety of birds and insects.

The Arctic project is one of many under the 2004 Investing in Nature scheme, a partnership between HSBC and Earthwatch Institute (Europe). The institute engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote understanding and action for a sustainable environment.

Mr Lobley will be helping to monitor how the thawing of vast peatlands is affecting the environment by releasing gases into the atmosphere.

When he returns he will go back to his day job as a private client relationship manager. But he will also have to uphold the responsibilities expected of an HSBC Environmental Fellow by working with a conservation group and spreading awareness through talks to local groups.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; it's absolutely fantastic," he said.

"It is a great starting point for something that I've been meaning to do for a long time," said Mr Lobley.

Shaun Radcliffe, chairman of the Bradford Orni-thological Group, said Mr Lobley's plan was greatly appreciated.

"We plan to buy a piece of equipment to help control the land at Stockbridge and encourage new growth next year," he said. The group spends much of the winter preparing the land for the summer when birds will flock to the reserve to breed.

Mr Lobley made the application to take part in Investing in Nature about a year ago and was allocated a place on the Arctic venture. But the scheme offers a variety of conservation projects across the globe, from counting frogs in Australia to monitoring dolphins in Spain.

The Canada programme involves research and conservation alongside scientists. The team will measure snowpack density, thickness, hardness and temperature. They will also monitor wildlife and conduct lab experiments.

Those interested in joining the Bradford Ornithological Group should visit www.bradfordbirders.co.uk.