Polly Vacher will continue her attempt to fly across the world

But Polly Vacher, from Drayton, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire, has now had to abandon her own attempt to fly across Antarctica.

The 59-year-old is allowing the Australian pilot, Jon Johanson, who has been stranded in Antarctica, to use a supply of fuel at a base she will no longer reach.

Mr Johanson has been stranded in the polar region because neither US nor New Zealand bases in the Antarctic will sell him fuel because they want to discourage tourism there.

Ms Vacher's spokeswoman confirmed on Friday that her attempt to cross Antarctica had been called off when it became apparent fuel supplies at another base would also not be made available to her.

Ms Vacher agreed to give up fuel she will no longer need

She added her attempt to fly a single-engine aircraft around the world from Pole to Pole would continue but on a different route.

In the meantime, two barrels of fuel stored at the base McMurdo will be given to Mr Johanson.

Mr Johanson, who flew over the South Pole, was planning to fly on to Argentina but was forced to turn back on Monday and land his RV-4 plane at the US base.

Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer had intervened in the row over fuel.

Partner's gratitude

Ms Vacher had herself set off for McMurdo on 5 December but was forced to turn back because of high winds.

She is currently at Rothera base waiting to fly to the Argentine base of Marambio where the Argentinian air force has flown out enough fuel for her to return to her home base.

From there she will undertake a new route to continue her attempt.

Mr Johanson's partner Sue Ball said she was grateful for Ms Vacher's generosity.

Of Mr Johanson's predicament, she added: "There are no rules to prevent you flying non-stop over Antarctica.