A POLAR quest team captained by a Taunton Royal Marine yesterday became the first British military team in history to complete a return journey to the South Pole.

Capt Sean Chapple and his team have become the first military personnel to reach the South Pole in nearly 100 years - and to safely return home. The team - Capt Chapple, Maj Paul Mattin, Surgeon Lt-Cmdr Andy Brown, from Devon, and Marine Craig Hunter, from Scotland, have been following in the footsteps of Capt Robert Falcon Scott in 1912.

On December 27 they reached the South Pole in Antarctica before turning back to complete the homeward journey. The men left from an area known as Patriot Hills in Antarctica in early November, with each man pulling a sledge weighing over 20 stone, containing everything they need to survive.

Capt Chapple said: "Although everyone has had extensive military training no one, apart from myself, has prior experience of the demands of long haul ski journeys in extreme Polar conditions nor participated in a project of this magnitude. "Throwing a group of motivated and enthusiastic servicemen together goes some way, but as Polar history has shown to really perform takes a bit more."

"Aside from the usual leadership qualities (judgement, understanding, bearing, wisdom, integrity, confidence and knowledge) I would suggest to lead a major Polar expedition you also need broad shoulders, you must know your people, you must be realistic, have faith in your team and with a finite amount of food and fuel, an ever approaching winter and on this stage, occasions of no wind - remain optimistic at all times!

"The role of leader can be a very lonely one and I am extremely fortunate in having a wonderful wife who when I have reached obstacles that I thought were unpassable has given me the encouragement and strength to continue pursuing the dream."

Admiral Sir James Burnell-Nugent, Commander in Chief Fleet and Polar Quest patron said in a personal message to the team: "Mission Accomplished, indeed! My strongest personal congratulations to you all on a hugely successful expedition. It has caught the imagination of many here in UK and, I expect, around the world. It is an enormous achievement of which we are all very proud. Well done." Having been fed and watered at Patriot Hills the team repacked sledges ready for their return flight. An aircraft inbound from Punta Arenas was yesterday due to come and pick up the team.