BRITISH adventurer David Hempleman-Adams flew into the record books again this year with a solo balloon flight to the North Pole.

Abandoning modern technology, he made the gruelling seven-day journey across the Arctic Ocean in an open wicker basket, soaring at oxygen-starved altitudes in temperatures of minus 40 degrees Centigrade.

It was the latest in his succession of historic achievements dating back to 1984, when he made a solo expedition to the Magnetic North Pole.

The explorer will describe his extraordinary trip and show video footage of his triumphant flight in The Sky's the Limit, at The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, on Thursday, November 23.

Mr Hempleman-Adams followed in the footsteps of the Swede, Salomon Andre, who tragically failed in his quest to reach the North Pole in 1897.

"Andre's bid is such an extraordinary example of courage that I could not resist having a go where he failed," he said.

He spent three years preparing for the trip, which was to be a faithful recreation of the circumstances under which Andre travelled.

He survived on a diet of boiled sweets and biscuits, snatching an hour's sleep here and there, completely at the mercy of the savage Arctic weather.

Despite several hair-raising moments, he achieved his goal of reaching the North Pole, closely monitored from the ground by a team of experts.

In his estimation it was his greatest and most dangerous achievement in his career as an explorer.

His taste for adventure was sparked 25 years ago when he took part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

By 1998 he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam, having conquered the magnetic and geographic north and south poles and scaled the highest mountain on each of seven continents.

To book tickets for the evening with David Hempleman-Adams, call The Roses' box office on 01684 295074.