ONE of the greatest adventure stories will be brought to life in Darwen on February 15.

Geoff Selley, whose wife Patricia is managing director of Herbert Parkinson in Darwen, is the official custodian of the journals and photographs documenting Ernest Shackleton's ill-fated expedition to the Antarctic in 1914.

Geoff was entrusted with these priceless artefacts - including the original glass negatives taken by expedition photographer Frank Hurley - and will be bringing the tale of courage to life at Darwen Library Theatre.

"Everything I say when I give the talk is in the words of Leonard Hussey, who was a naturalist on the expedition," said Geoff. "I haven't changed a word and yet, more than 90 years on, when combined with the photographs they have the abilitiy to captivate an audience."

Ernest Shackleton put together a British expedition to cross the Antarctic.

He is reputed to have placed the following advertisment in the London newspapers: Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success Amazingly, he was inundated with volunteers and the ship, The Endurance, left London on August 1, 1914.

Having reached the Antarctic, the Endurance became trapped in pack ice and was ultimately crushed, forcing the 28-strong crew to spend the next few months stranded on the ice.Facing starvation, Shackleton took five men and sailed a small boat through perilous seas to South Georgia before organising a rescue mission for the men he had been forced to leave behind.

Shackleton's courage and determination to save his men - and the fact that no-one died - make the story truly inspiring.

"The talk I give was originally written around 1920 by Leonard Hussey," said Geoff. "He used it to raise funds for another expedition to the South Pole."

Hussey continued to present the talk until he was too old. He then gave his notes and the priceless slides to a Scout leader, Ralph Gullett, to continue his work. Geoff still has the letter he wrote, which said: "It breaks my heart to part with it but I know that the lads want the story to be continued to be told."

Geoff said: "I think what makes this so special is that there is a direct line back from me who now gives the talk to the man who put it together and was actually on the expedition."

He was given the collection by Ralph Gullett after he used it to inspire cadets at the Metropolitan Police force where he worked.

Now retired from the Force, Geoff is still heavily involved in working with young people and leading expeditions around the world - and the Shackleton talk always forms part of his work.

"It amazes people when I go along with the very case that Frank Hurley kept all his two-inch glass negatives in and then get out the original slides," he said. "I have also got the original magic lantern which Hussey used but I don't use that any more. I have had all the images put on to 35mm slides now but they are all from the originals."

The fact that any of the pictured taken by Frank Hurley - who went on to be a celebrated and controversial war photographer - actually survived is a miracle in itself.

"When the men were forced to leave The Endurance, Shackleton told Hussey to leave his slides behind," said Geoff. "He did smash around 400 but sneaked 120 on to his sled and they are the ones which survive today."

Over the past 17 years Geoff has given his talk in some prestigious locations,including in front of the Royal Geographical Society in London.

"I was using the same lectern that the likes of Livingstone and Darwin had used, which was a great honour," he said.

He has also taken the slides to America, where past presidents were among his audience.

"But I've also spoken to Scout groups and the local Women's Institute," he said. "It's a story for everyone."

Geoff's talk - The Greatest Survival Story Ever Told - will raise money for the national children's charity Young Minds.

"I never make any money out of the talks," said Geoff. "I just look on it as an absolute privilege to be able to re-tell the story.

"People just listen to the words and look at the images and they are enthralled."

The Greatest Survival Story Ever Told will be at Darwen Library Theatre on Thursday, February 15. Tickets, £7.50, are available from the box office on 01254 706006.