A DIABETIC teacher and his team mate are due to cross the finish line of their epic race to the North Pole today.

After battling flu, freezing temperatures and the threat of polar bears - all while dragging 90lb sleds - the end is in site for Team Scott-Dunn, and James Abbot, a teacher at Abberley Hall Prep School, Great Witley.

On Wednesday, one of the group's rivals, Team Hardware was the first to reach the finishing spot - the magnetic North Pole, closely followed by Commando Joe, a team from the Royal Marines.

The 16 teams taking part set off on the 320-mile Scott-Dunn Challenge ski race on Saturday, April 23.

Team Scott-Dunn, which aim to raise issues about greenhouse gases and conservation, are expected to finish in seventh or eighth position.

Mr Abbot, a 29-year-old Design and Technology teacher was accompanied by Stuart Nanson and Zu Rafalat, but because of flu, Ms Rafalat was forced to pull out of the challenge.

Mr Nanson also had a bout of flu, leaving the Pershore teacher to pull the heavier sled single handedly.

"Stu and Zu have both been suffering from flu. We have all been hugely impressed that they started the challenge at all," said one of the organisers on the website, charting all the team's progress.

To cope with the rigours of the challenge, Mr Abbot completed training in Austria and dragged old car tyres over the Malvern Hills.

The headmaster from Abberley Hall, John Walker, said it was a tremendous achievement by a highly motivated young teacher.

"He is a great role model for the children, and also in terms of highlighting green house gases and conservation," said Mr Walker.