'I spent Christmas having a beer in South Pole'

A former soldier who spent Christmas at the South Pole is now climbing the highest peak in Antarctica, as he continues his quest to become the oldest person to complete a challenge known as the Explorer's Grand Slam.

Ian Hughes, from Liverpool, is taking on the challenge - which involves reaching both the North and South pole and climbing seven of the world's highest peaks - to raise money for charity.

The 57-year-old, who skied unsupported across Antarctica to the South Pole, said: "When I arrived I was given a can of beer and I finished a carton of wine, so it was a very Merry Christmas!"

He is now set to climb Mount Vinson, an ascent of 16,050ft (4,892m) which he expects will take a week.

The former deep sea diver covered more than 565 miles (910km) in two days to reach the South Pole, pulling a 115kg sled.

He said: "It was a truly white but very cold Christmas with 24 hour daylight.

"People tell me the time I took was very good going."

Mr Hughes, who works for energy firm OEG, lives in Blundellsands, Crosby.

He joined the British Army at 16, serving as a Royal Green Jacket for five years.

For his latest adventure, he trained by dragging tyres on the walk to work along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Mr Hughes hopes to raise £100,000 for the charity Always a Rifleman, which tackles stress, homelessness and suicide prevention among military veterans.

Speaking of his trip to the South Pole, he said: "It has been very demanding physically, but an incredible experience."

He hopes this next challenge will take him a step closer to joining an elite group of about 75 people worldwide who have completed the Explorers Grand Slam.

The ambitious challenge includes reaching the North Pole, the South Pole and the Seven Summits (the highest mountain peaks of each of the seven continents).

He has already climbed five of the Seven Summits, including Mount Everest, and this will be his sixth.

On his way back to the UK later in January, he will complete his seventh summit, the 22,841 ft (6,962 m) Aconcagua in Argentina's Mendoza Province.

Mr Hughes has a North Pole trek planned for 2027.

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