Briton becomes youngest to walk to South Pole

A 23-year-old British army reservist set a world record today by becoming the youngest person to trek to the South Pole.

Mr Andrew Cooney, a scout in Britain's Territorial Army, walked through snowstorms and temperatures as low as minus 52 degrees to complete the 730-mile trek.

Mr Cooney, who began his five-week trek on November 11th, suffered altitude sickness while climbing up a polar glacier and a shoulder injury after slipping on ice.Despite this he completed his epic journey, while dragging a sledge, two weeks ahead of schedule.

The achievement means another adventurer, 27-year-old Mr Tom Avery, who reached the South Pole just last week, loses the title of being the youngest Briton to make the journey.

AFP