ADVENTURER David Hempleman-Adams is to attempt a world record-breaking, high-altitude balloon flight.

The 45-year-old explorer, who lives in Box, will join Don Cameron, managing director of Cameron Balloons, to fly a Bristol-made 77,000 cubic-foot balloon containing huge helium-filled weather balloons.

They will use a special burner to heat the air underneath the weather balloons, making them expand, and allowing them to ascend to an expected 25,000ft.

David is a director of three companies and is a trustee of The Mitchemp Trust. As well as being an explorer and author, he specialises in Cold Climate Expeditions. His achievements include conquering the North and South Poles and he was the first Briton to walk unsupported to the South Pole, trek 600 miles across the frozen Arctic Ocean to the North Pole and scale the highest mountain in each of the seven continents.

He said: "I've felt for a long time that expeditions should be fun and that's what this attempt is all about. We're getting a regular balloon and putting some helium balloons inside it and trying to get to 25,000ft.

"We're going to go up wearing good old tweed jackets to prove that we're real English eccentrics. I think it's time for a bit of 'back to basics'."

The flight will take place, depending on the weather, from Western Zoyland, an airfield close to the M5 and Bridgwater in the next few days.