Dom Mee is a former Marine Commando

Former Marine Commando Dom Mee got into trouble earlier this week after his vessel became surrounded by icebergs.

And on Thursday Mr Mee, 32, from Bath, told the BBC he was cancelling the rest of his 900-nautical mile journey just 30 miles short of his target.

The adventurer took the decision just weeks after reaching the site of the 1831 magnetic north pole when he realised he was no longer safe.

The route of the Arctic quest

He said the weather was too risky to go on, and he had been forced to turn back and return to civilisation.

"It is unsafe for me to move forward," he said. "After three days assessing my position I am going to have to turn back.

"It is simply too dangerous for me to continue, but luckily my escape route has opened up today so I will be able to get out."

The Somerset explorer, who is carrying all the provisions and supplies he needs for the trip in his 17-foot boat, is in daily contact with his support team via text messages.

Mr Mee is following the route of Victorian explorer Sir John Ross's ill-fated expedition from King William Island to Baffin Island in search of the Northwest Passage.

His Scottish predecessor was stranded on the ice for four years before being rescued.