A US research base in Antarctica - currently staffed by 125 scientists - has been sent 16,488 condoms.

The McMurdo base station will now distribute the condoms to staff so they do not have to get embarrassed buying them.

Bosses say because there are so few staff based there over the winter it can become "a little bit uncomfortable" buying the contraceptive devices.

The winter has just started and the base will be plunged into darkness until the first sunrise of spring on August 20.

At current staffing levels everyone would be given 132 condoms ... we don't know how much research will get done.