Sailor to resume polar challenge

The 46-year-old will set off for Alaska on Monday

A sailor is setting off for Alaska to resume his challenge to travel solo around the world via the polar regions.

Adrian Flanagan, from near Bicester in Oxfordshire, set off in 2005 but was forced to quit in September last year.

He had completed 25,000 miles (40,234km) but decided to postpone the last 10,000-mile leg (16,000km) because the Russian Arctic was freezing over.

The 46-year-old is flying to Nome in Alaska on Monday, where his vessel Barrabas was left for the winter.

The Russian government has granted Mr Flanagan permission to sail Russia's Arctic coast.

Mr Flanagan, who is raising money for Oxford Children's Hospital and Save the Children, hopes to return to Hamble in Hampshire by early September.