The Arctic? It's easier than going on the bus!

David, 46, who earlier this year became the first British person to fly a hot air balloon across the Atlantic from America to England, will attempt to cross the Midlands on public transport in a special television documentary to be screened next month.

The adventurer, who has scaled the highest mountains in the world, walked solo to the North and South Poles and flown over the Andes in a balloon, will try to make an important business lunch in Southwell, near Nottingham, by train and bus from his home.

Armed with just a timetable and video camera, rather than his more familiar compass and thermal clothing, David will tackle tight train and bus connections and children in pushchairs.

He said: "It was really enjoyable making the documentary, but goodness only knows how people, especially the elderly and young mothers, manage with public transport it was a nightmare.

"It was easier to get to the South Pole than go from my home to Nottingham by public transport there just doesn't seem to be any co-ordination to it at all.

"At one point I arrive at Swindon Station and have to get to a platform in less than a minute to catch a train and I only did because that was running late."

His 140-mile journey will start from his home before he takes a coach to Swindon station from where he travels to Cheltenham.

From there he takes a train to Derby before pushing on to Nottingham and his final leg to Southwell by bus.

David once had to shoot a polar bear which tried to get into his sleeping bag, but after years of crossing icy wastes, he admitted he was stumped as to how to approach the more mundane conundrum of beating the jams and queues on Britain's roads and railways.

"I've climbed Mount Everest and walked to the North and South Poles, but this is very scary some of the changeovers are very tight and it was quite daunting," he quipped.

30 Minutes The Incredible Journey is due to be screened on ITV1 on Thursday, December 4 at 11.30pm.

Giles Sheldrick