A Territorial Army soldier's bid to become the youngest person ever to reach the South Pole on foot is now in doubt.

The world record attempt, by 23-year-old Andy Cooney, is under threat following the withdrawal of his main sponsor.

Mr Cooney, from Nottinghamshire, said insurance company Hastings Direct had pulled its �30,000 contribution with just days to go.

He is now worried he will have to drop out of the expedition and be left owing tens of thousands to other sponsors.

Mr Cooney has just days to find new sponsors

Mr Cooney said: "When the call came in I was absolutely devastated, I had been working all year towards this project to get the world record.

"Since it's about my age, if I don't go now obviously I won't get the world record.

"Potentially it could leave me owing �20,000 to other sponsors who are already involved."

Record attempt

Mr Cooney, a lieutenant in the Territorial Army, was hoping to join an international expedition trekking the 730 miles from the Antarctic coast to the pole at the end of this month.

If he successfully completes the 70 day trip he will become the youngest person to walk to the South Pole.

Now he is left with just a few days to find new sponsors, take on the debt himself or give up on the expedition and reimburse all other sponsors.

Hastings Direct declined to comment on the case.