Last year, 16-year-old Londoner Parker Liautaud was 15 miles short of the North Pole when injury and horrendous weather forced him to turn back.

If the Eton student had successfully completed his trek, he would have become the youngest person to ski to the North Pole.

And bloody but unbowed, Liautaud will this year try again – and you'll be pleased to hear the record still has yet to be broken.

The teenager, who is an ambassador for global youth forum One Young World, set off on the challenge this weekend (Saturday April 2nd) with Arctic explorer Doug Stoup.

He will battle temperatures of minus 35C, pull a sled weighing 115lb and expend 9,000 calories each day.

As part of a climate change research study currently being undertaken by Canada's University of Alberta, he will also take snow and ice measurements.

Talking about the trek, Bear Grylls said: "I so admire Parker's dedication and drive and I know what can be achieved when a project has one's whole heart and soul in it.

"[It's] a huge challenge and a huge ambition but such endeavours bring out the best in us."