AN INTREPID fundraiser is braving sub-zero temperatures as he races across 400 miles of frozen wastes to the North Pole.

Gareth Ellis has taken up the Polar Challenge to trek over barren ice floes to reach the magnetic pole.

His three-man team is taking on eight other teams in a race to the top of the world.

The 36-year-old geologist of Great Broughton, near Stokesley, aims to raise funds for charity on his epic journey.

He said: "I was looking at doing a Grand Slam marathon where you run a race on each continent.

"But I came across an advert for the Polar Challenge and decided to go for that.

"We'll be pulling sledges behind us with about 70kg on and we'll be moving for about 14 hours a day. To train I've been pulling large tyres across the North York Moors for ten hours at a time.

"I've also been to the gym and done lots of long walks and runs.

"On the trek we'll get five hours sleep and then we'll be off again, but I'm just looking forward to it and it's a race I want to win.

"I'm also filling up with food before I go as we're expected to lose about two stones in weight."

To prepare for the race, the teams spent time with the Norwegian Special Forces in Dombas, Norway, to learn survival techniques.

The teams headed to Resolute Bay, Canada, on Tuesday for equipment checks before venturing on to the ice.

The competitors will ski and walk to the pole and have been told how to scare away polar bears they could come across.

Mr Ellis and his team-mates, Alistair Leiper and Yoyo Schepers, will start at Polaris Mine. From there, they will race across the Arctic Circle passing check points, but catering for themselves for six weeks.

The winners will pick up a trophy before flying home on May 10.

Mr Ellis is hoping to raise money for the NSPCC, Polar Bear International Research and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund.

He has raised £18,000 to pay for the trip and £5,000 for the charities. The race's progress can be followed at www.polarchallenge.com.