IT is do or die for solo Arctic sailor Adrian Flanagan.

The Hampshire adventurer says the next few weeks will be critical if he is to make history and become the first person to single-handedly circumnavigate the globe via the Russian Arctic.

First though the father-of-two will have to break through a barrier of ice that has halted his epic trip for the last few weeks.

And with the Arctic winter rapidly approaching time could be running out.

It was almost two years ago that Adrian, 46, began his epic voyage from Hamble, but he faces one of his toughest challenges yet as he steers his 40ft stainless steel yacht Barrabas through the treacherous icy wastes following the northern sea route.

As he anxiously waits for a window of opportunity to open, his expedition manager Louise Flanagan said: "This trip has been two years in the making and Adrian will not give up until the door is slammed in his face.

"The Russians have advised him to move to a different position because they think there will be an eight-day break in the ice. The next few weeks are critical and it really is do or die."

Adrian had been anchored off Ostrov Peschany for more than a week and during that time he has had to move position eight times while curious walruses watch him from the shore.

However in his latest report he says the ice is seriously hampering his progress, adding: "My study through June and July of the ice recede pattern was such that I fully expected to be through and passed Proliv Vil'kitskogo by August 15.

"I have heard news that two other boats are currently in Tiksi, similarly awaiting clearance to transit Proliv Vil'kitskogo.

"I imagine the game plan is to herd us through in an ice breaker convoy if and when the ice thins sufficiently.

"My latest news is that the ice is impenetrable even with the assistance of nuclear-powered ice breakers and that only super strength ice class vessels are being permitted passage."