Trip to pole via land and water

Mr Saunders has attempted to reach the North Pole twice before

A 26-year-old man is planning to travel in a straight line from Russia to the North Pole over land and through water.

Ben Saunders' polar expedition will be twice the distance of any other as he will then continue on to Canada.

In order for the Londoner to complete his mission in a straight line he will have to cross strips of melted ocean.

Mr Saunders has a dry suit to help him survive the icy waters which he will encounter on his 1,240 mile journey that is expected to take three months.

"The North Pole is slap bang in the middle of the Arctic Ocean - I will be skiing over the surface of the sea," he said.

"Previously I had skied around the water."

After the last trip I feel I am on a winning streak Ben Saunders

Mr Saunders added: "I do not see myself as an explorer - I'm not trying to find out where the North Pole is.

"It is about exploring the human limits - it's a test of psychological and physical strength."

He will pull supplies for his solo mission, which is costing £150,000, by sled across the frozen Arctic Ocean.

Mr Saunders has attempted to reach the North Pole twice before - once successfully.

He was 23 when he failed in his mission, with Polar explorer Pen Haddow, to be the youngest person ever to get to the North Pole unaided.

'Large element of luck'

"We were 10 days short of the Pole and had been skiing for eight weeks.

"I came back very disappointed knowing we had failed. But Pen taught me a lot."

In April last year Mr Saunders second mission was successful.

He skied 200 miles in a round-trip from Russia to the Pole.

"After the last trip I feel I am on a winning streak.

"There are so many factors involved and there is a large element of luck.

"But I know I can survive out there."