Elated: Corporal Alan Chambers

"We actually walked past it to start off with and went across to the Siberia side and then back-tracked," he said.

"We just fell on out knees and took some photos of the GPS (Global Positioning Satellite).

"It read 8959593 geographic north pole, top of the world."

The two marines were praised for their courage by the expedition's patron, the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Michael Boyce. They are only the third explorers to have completed the trip.

Sir Michael said he had been following their progress over the last 68 days and had been "amazed and inspired by their determination and cheerfulness under extremely difficult conditions".

"It is a testament to their training as Royal Marines," said Sir Michael.

'Immensely proud'

"They had achieved what remains one of the most daunting polar challenges.

"I am immensely proud of them, and wish them a safe and speedy recovery."

The two Polar heroes are expected to fly into the Team Polar 2000 base at Resolute Bay, northern Canada, said a Royal Marines spokesman.

They now join the select band who have reached the Pole unaided - fewer people than have stood on the surface of the Moon.

In a recent failed solo attempt, Exmoor-based explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes lost the tips of a thumb and forefinger.

Last month the other two members of the Marine expedition, Corporals Jason Garland, from Oxfordshire, and Paul Jones, from north Wales, were airlifted off the ice after developing severe frostbite.