On 2nd March 2001, the couple will depart England and travel to northern Canada where final preparations will be made before they set off from Ellesmere Island's Cape Columbia - which is North America's northernmost point.

During the next 60 days, Mike and Fiona will battle the elements on a 500-mile trek to the North Pole dragging heavy sledges through the most savage environment on Earth. At the journey's beginning, there will be 21 hours of darkness a day, though daylight returns at a rate of 40 minutes each day thereafter.

The temperature in March ranges between minus 45 to minus 55 degrees below zero, without wind-chill - fortunately, by mid April it warms to a more bearable minus 30 or so.

The walk has to be made between March and May in order to ensure the surface of the Arctic Ocean is frozen, because unlike Antarctica, the journey is not over land. Other possible difficulties include thick ice, fog, countless pressure ridges (many as high as thirty feet), leads of open water caused by tides and currents ripping the ice apart, and polar bears.

If Mike and Fiona succeed with this ambitious venture- where many others have failed - they will be the first married couple to reach both Poles. Fiona would also have the distinction of being the first British woman to walk to both the top and bottom of the world.

Their expedition can be followed on www.bbc.co.uk/northpole2001.