Mother and son eye polar record

The pair were the first mother-and-son team to row the Atlantic

A mother and son from Leicestershire are aiming to walk to the North Pole together in a world-record bid.

Jan Meek, 62, and her son Dan Byles, 32, were the first mother and son to row the Atlantic Ocean 10 years ago.

The pair are training for the Polar Race in March 2007 which would see them walk and ski from Resolute Bay in Canada to the Magnetic North Pole.

The pair will make the attempt with Dan's friend Richard Profit, 32, a former Royal Engineer officer.

Polar novices

None of the three has any Arctic experience.

"When I got to the age of 60 I realised I had reached my three-score years and now I am in my 'and ten' - so all the things you think you'd like to do - it is time to do them.

"I'd like to stand on the top of the world."

The race is part of the Carpe Diem Polar Challenge to raise funds for The Carpe Diem Trust.

The team has agreed to "take only photographs, leave only footprints" to have the least possible impact on the environment and native wildlife.

The Carpe Diem Trust is a new charity aimed at "helping and motivating ordinary people to take control of their lives".