SWINDON-born explorer David Hempleman-Adams's daughter has become the youngest person to brave an Arctic route on foot.

As reported in the late edition of yesterday's Adver, 15-year-old Alicia survived temperatures of minus 50F and strong winds to finish the 200-mile traverse of Baffin Island in northern Canada in 10 days two days ahead of schedule and beating her father by a day.

Mr Hempleman-Adams said: "I'm extremely proud, of course. I always wanted her to enjoy it.

"It has certainly given her a new dimension, I think, and maturity.

"I am very proud and slightly miffed. She took a day off the time I did it. Of course she had much better skis than I have got."

Alicia said: "It was amazing. It was quite cold most days and there was wind coming from behind us."

She was due to be flying back to Britain today and will have to return to school on Monday.