Sir Ernest Shackleton: UK buyer wanted for last of explorer's medals

Sir Ernest's Polar Medal is believed to be the last of his still in the UK

A medal once awarded to Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton could be set to leave the country unless a UK-based buyer comes forward.

A temporary export bar has been placed on Sir Ernest's Polar Medal, which he was awarded for his three polar expeditions.

The government believes the medal is the last of his still in the UK, and hopes to keep it in the country.

But buying it won't be cheap, as it has been valued at roughly £1.76m.

The silver badge is of "outstanding significance", according to the chair of the committee that reviews the export of such objects, Andrew Hochhauser KC.

"It should go to a UK public institution where it can remind visitors of Shackleton's extraordinary achievements and inspire future generations of leaders," he added.

A famed explorer, Sir Ernest led British expeditions to the Antarctic

The Polar Medal, which until 1904 was known as the Arctic Medal, is given to individuals for outstanding service in the field of polar research.

After three separate expeditions in the Antarctic - two of which he led - Sir Ernest was given the award.

One of these - his 1907 Nimrod expedition - aimed to be the first to reach the South Pole.

That expedition ultimately failed to reach its goal, but set new records by making it within 100 miles of the pole.

An export bar placed on the medal was on the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest, which concluded that its departure from the UK would be a "misfortune" due to its historical significance.

The decision on the badge's export licence application, which would give approval for it to be sent abroad, has been deferred until 1 May.

Back in 2015 a number of the explorer's medals were sold at auction, raising over £500,000.

That sale included his Chilean Order of Merit for £74,500, and four British medals for £230,500.