A team of explorers is aiming to become the first to ever reach “the other North Pole”, including one man from Stoneleigh who quit his job in finance and discovered a love of adventure.

Mark Edwards, 37, is currently going through intense training for the Ice Warrior Project, which involves an 800-mile trek across the Arctic to reach the Northern Pole of Inaccessibility – the furthest point from the Arctic Ocean and 200 miles further north than the Geographic North Pole.

He said: “I’ve not done anything like this before. I’ve been to Antarctica, but only as a tourist on a boat. I’ve done outdoorsy stuff like going on treks, but nothing quite the same.

“I quit my finance job a couple of years ago and went travelling. I spent a lot of time in Patagonia. After that I was looking for stuff like this. It sounded scary at first, but interesting. Five years ago when I was sitting behind my desk I would never have been interested.”

Mark, who lives in Highfield Drive, is one of a large group of amateurs on the expedition, beginning in February, when temperatures can be minus 50 degrees Celcius and there is little daylight.

Split over four 20-day trips, with each person taking part in at least one, the group will gather data about temperature, wind and snow and ice depth and coverage to help scientists understand climate change.

They will be trekking via the Magnetic North Pole to confirm its location, our knowledge of which often relies on predictions.

The group has been training in Svalbard and Dartmoor, learning things such as rope-work, polar camping skills, medical skills and skiing.

Mark said: “I’m a little nervous, but the training has given me confidence. It’s a bit daunting to think about – especially when I look at the map of where we’re going. It’s really exciting, though.

“I’m really looking forward to going somewhere untouched by humans. And to do it in a team will make it really special.”

Leading the expedition will be world-renowned polar explorer Jim Mcneill, who has twice failed to reach the pole.

He said: “I’m delighted to see ordinary people from all walks of life committing themselves to achieving something quite extraordinary.”

Anyone interested in talking to Mark about finding out more or supporting the expedition can email mark@ice-warrior.com.