The pair underwent extensive training for the return

Conrad Dickinson, 49, and his wife Hilary, 51, from Hexham, were the first British couple to make it to the pole unsupported on 23 December.

They scored a second record after travelling further by foot in Antarctica than any other Britons.

Their 70-day, 1,380-mile (2,220 km) expedition started on the Antarctic coast at Hercules Inlet on 2 November.

Hilary is looking forward to a glass of Chardonnay and me a pint of Ruddles in the Tap and Spile in Hexham Conrad Dickinson

Their entire trek was 31 miles (50 km) longer than that made by Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Mike Stroud in an Antarctic traverse from Berkner Island to the Ross Ice Shelf in 1993.

They faced ferocious winds and temperatures of -45�C, said to be some of the worst conditions in the last 15 years in the Antarctic summer.

An exhausted Mr Dickinson told the BBC: "Having covered a breathtaking 120 miles (192 km) in just 22 hours on Sunday we were tent-bound for 24 hours on Monday due to stormy weather.

"We completed the last 46 miles today (Tuesday).

"There's no doubt that our kite-ski training really paid off, especially during heart-stopping moments such as crossing the bridges of crevasses without rope support or skiing over blue ice with express train-like winds.

"In terms of luxuries, Hilary is looking forward to a glass of Chardonnay and me a pint of Ruddles in the Tap and Spile in Hexham."

Also on the expedition were American Matty McNair, 53, and her two children Eric, 20, and Sarah, 18.