A FOUR-strong Royal Marines team has become the first British military unit to complete a return journey to the South Pole.

The team, which included Craig Hunter, from Kilmarnock, spent 71 arduous days walking and skiing unsupported by dogs or vehicles to reach the geographic South Pole and then making the return trek using kites to pull them.

The men - Captain Sean Chapple, the team leader; Major Paul Mattin; Lt Cdr Andy Brown, a Royal Navy surgeon; and Marine Hunter - followed in the footsteps of the legendary Captain Robert Falcon Scott, whose famous uncompleted and tragic venture in 1912 was the last time British servicemen were involved in a trip to the South Pole.

The Polar Quest team arrived at Patriot Hills in Antarctica - the starting point of their epic journey - more than two months ago.

Each team member had to haul sledges weighing 20 stones and endure temperatures plunging as low as minus 27C.

Capt Chapple said: "Arriving back at Patriot Hills was a moving occasion, a real sense of achievement at completing our 1,400 nautical-mile journey - the longest Antarctic journey in British military history.

"The return journey has been far more demanding than anticipated, due to winds this January being particularly erratic, bodies run down from the haul into the South Pole and minor injuries.

"I am in sincere admiration of my fellow polar explorers, who have shown tremendous determination, courage and companionship throughout - they are true heroes of Antarctica."