Pen Hadow trekked 478 miles to reach the Pole

It is the first time that the borough of West Devon has ever awarded the honour since it received its Royal Charter in 1982.

The 41-year-old explorer, who lives in Hexworthy on Dartmoor, became the first person to reach the geographic North Pole unsupported from Canada in May.

He fulfilled a 15-year dream by completing the 478-mile, 64-day trek, but then had to wait eight days for the right weather so he could be airlifted out.

It's particularly special to be honoured by your own community Pen Hadow

Mr Hadow and his family, wife Mary and two children Wilf, four, and one-year-old Freya, have lived at Hexworthy for almost eight years.

He completed the expedition on 19 May, a day earlier than he had planned, in temperatures dipping to lows of -45C, after walking and swimming through breaks in the ice dragging a floating supply sled.

But he became stranded on the floating, unstable ice as harsh weather prevented rescue teams from reaching him.

He lost battery power on his satellite phone and the only communication was a beacon which he could change the signal of to tell his team he was fine.

He was forced to live on half rations of nuts, chocolate and dried fruit and had only half a day's food left when he was eventually airlifted off the ice.

Pen Hadow and his family have lived on Dartmoor for eight years

He returned to the UK at the beginning of June.

Mr Hadow said he was delighted with the award from the council.

He said: "Although various invitations and opportunities have come my way since I returned, it's particularly special to be honoured by your own community in a way like this. It's wonderful."

The mayor of West Devon, Councillor Peter Hill, will confer the Honorary Freemanship in recognition of Pen's "magnificent achievement".

Councillor Hill said: "It takes a remarkable individual to accomplish such an amazing triumph. I am full of admiration for Pen's pure courage and determination."

Mr Hadow will be made a borough freeman during a ceremony at West Devon Borough Council's Chamber at Kilworthy Park in Tavistock on Tuesday 8 July.