Helen Skelton plans south pole mission

Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton is to attempt to become the first person to use a bicycle to help her reach the south pole.

The adventurous TV star will travel 500 miles across Antarctica in January, using an ice bike, skis and a kite to raise money for Sport Relief.

In the process, she will hope to set a new world record for the longest bicycle journey on snow.

Skelton, 28, will use a bicycle with specially-adapted 20cm (8in)-wide tyres

It follows Skelton's successful high-wire walk between the chimneys of Battersea Power Station in London and solo kayak voyage down the length of the Amazon.

But she admitted: "I didn't really think this one through. I've never done anything like it.

"When I went out to New Zealand [to prepare], that was my first experience of something that cold.

"I just didn't think about what it would entail - camping in the snow, using the water to cook your food, lugging all your stuff around, so yeah, it's been a steep learning curve."

Skelton will pull a sledge containing her supplies, weighing a total of 82kg (13 stone).

Sport Relief, which aims to improve lives in the UK and in the world's poorest countries, takes place in March. Supporters are able to sponsor Skelton on the Sport Relief website.