HE faced blizzards, white outs, unusually deep snow falls and temperatures as low as -42C degrees.

However, despite battling against all the odds, a Hampshire adventurer is celebrating completing one of the world's toughest races.

Dan English, 27, is back home safe and warm after taking part in the gruelling Sony Polar Challenge 2006.

It took him 15 tortuous days and 13 hours to complete the 350-nautical mile race across the unforgiving Arctic landscape to reach the magnetic North Pole.

Reflecting on his incredible journey, Dan, of Hamble-le-Rice, told the Daily Echo: "It was a day-after-day struggle. I am glad that I saw it through and have to say thanks for all the support I got from family and friends.

"The conditions, the weather and the environment itself demand a certain amount of respect and you act accordingly. If you don't, you will suffer.

"It was a demanding environment regardless of it being a race or not."

The keen sportsman works for Cotswold Outdoor at Lower Northam Road, Hedge End, as an equipment and clothing specialist.

Dan participated in the challenge, which pushed his physical and mental boundaries to the extreme, as part of Team Cotswold.

They came joint eighth out of 12 teams, with three groups failing to finish.

Dan commited himself to a rigorous training regime for several months before taking part in the challenge, which included pulling tyres on walks, long-distance running and weight training.

His previous endeavours have included climbing on rock and ice, surfing in Morocco and snowboarding in the Alps, and he is now planning an expedition to Greenland next year.

l To find out more about the Sony Polar Challenge, visit: www.polar-challenge.com or phone 01285 640423.