Adventurer aims for pole record

Ms McKeand was part of a team that reached the South Pole in 2004

A 33-year-old Berkshire woman is planning to make the fastest solo, unsupported trek to the South Pole.

Hannah McKeand, from Newbury, hopes to travel the 690 miles (1,110km) from the edge of Antarctica to the Geographic South Pole in less than 42 days.

In 2004, she reached the South Pole, as part of a team of five, in 55 days.

She plans to begin her solo expedition in a few weeks and hopes the expedition will raise more than £10,000 for the Breakthrough Breast Cancer charity.

Ms McKeand wants to beat the 42-day record set by 37-year-old Fiona Thornewill in 2004.

On her expedition she will be pulling a sledge weighing up to 220lb (100kgs) on the uphill route and burning up to 8,000 calories a day.