A Sussex adventurer was today setting off on a record-breaking all-female trek to the North Pole.

Pom Oliver and two teammates are bidding to be the first women to walk to both poles.

They will brave temperatures way below zero and pull their own sledges on the 500-mile journey.

Pom, from Billingshurst, joins team leader Caroline Hamilton, of London, and Ann Daniels, of Devon, on the trek.

The trio were today flying to Ottawa in Canada. They will complete last-minute checks on the mainland before they begin their 60-day walk next week.

Pom, 50, said: "We are really looking forward to it now. We have been saying our farewells and having our last proper meals.

"One of the main things I'll miss is eating off a plate and using a knife and fork. Because we have to carry everything, we are only able to take one cup and one spoon each."

Pom, Caroline and Ann were part of a five-woman expedition to the South Pole in January 2000.

They will face very different terrain this time. Because there is no solid land mass at the North Pole, they will have to drag their 250lb sledges over constantly-moving pack ice.

However, they have prior experience, having been part of a relay trek in 1997.

The team hopes to raise £500,000 for the Square Smiles charity, which supports mental health projects.

Their trek can be followed at www.northpolewomen.com