A LAB technician from the North-East aims to become the first person to attempt to walk solo and unsupported to and from the North Pole.

Tim Williamson, 25, will attempt to cover a minimum of 2,200 miles over 100 to 120 days without the use of skis.

He will be experiencing temperatures of -60C, towing a sled with his gear weighing about 120kg.

The Durham University graduate will be setting off from Resolute Bay, in Canada, on January 13, and hopes to cover about 25 miles – just less than a marathon – a day.

He hopes to return to the bay in late April or early May and it will be the longest, solo and unsupported expedition in the world.

Mr Williamson’s trek will be the first attempt to reach the North Pole in modern times without the use of a chartered aircraft.

A virtual unknown on the global adventure scene, Mr Williamson believes his experience as an ultra runner, covering long distances over rough terrain, including ice and snow, will put him in good stead for the expedition.

Mr Williamson, who lives in Fenham, Newcastle, said: “No one has ever covered this distance before so I am quite excited about it.

“I think I will get quite far.

The majority fail because they aren’t built for walking long distances.

“This is the thing I’m specially built for. The North Pole holds a great amount of wonder to me, and as an ultra runner, it is the ultimate challenge.”

Mr Williamson, who studied biomedical science at Durham and works for Newcastle University, will have to battle perpetual darkness, loneliness and constant fatigue to achieve his goal.

He will also be racing against time, trying to beat the melting ice.

North-East born Robert Swan, the first person to walk to the North and South Poles, said “What Tim is undertaking is truly one of the last great polar expeditions.

“I have watched his careful preparation and he can make it.

“Careful preparation helps luck, and on the Arctic Ocean you need some luck.”