Pair complete Pole-to-Pole feat

The pair have also climbed in the Alps, northern Pakistan and Nepal

Two young explorers have completed an epic 22,000 mile trek from the Magnetic North Pole to the Magnetic South Pole using only human and natural power.

Rob Gauntlett, from Petworth in West Sussex, and James Hooper, of Wellington in Somerset, began the trip last April and reached the South Pole on Thursday.

The pair, both 20, aimed to raise awareness about climate change and prove the impossible could be achieved.

In May 2006, they became the youngest Britons to climb Everest.

'Bitter cold'

During their gruelling pole-to-pole expedition, the duo skied, dog-sled, sailed and cycled through Greenland, USA, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, and Argentina.

After completing it, Mr Gauntlett, said: "It has been an exhausting year, especially down in the Southern Ocean where the bitter cold and severe weather systems have battered us for the last two months."

The pair, who are both former pupils of Christ's Hospital in Horsham, West Sussex, will now set sail for Australia where, Mr Hooper said, they were looking forward to celebrating their 21st birthdays "in the warmth of Sydney".

Their expedition, which is helping to raise money for the Prince's Trust, is due to end in Sydney Harbour on 9 May, after 1,800 nautical miles and 70 days at sea.