Second Briton heads for record as youngest to walk to South Pole

A Territorial Army lieutenant is within days of becoming the second man in a week to claim the title of the youngest Briton to walk to the South Pole.

Andrew Cooney, 23, is expected to complete his 730-mile trek on Thursday, snatching the record from Tom Avery, 27, who finished his walk on Saturday night. Mr Avery and three companions reached the most southern point on the globe, pulling sleds weighing more than 100lb (45kg).

Mr Cooney and five others are hauling sleds in temperatures of minus 52C since setting off on 11 November. His expedition, comprising himself, a fellow Briton, Graham Stonehouse, and two Spaniards, Guillermo Banales and Angel Naves, is being led by two Canadians, Devon McDiarmid and a well-known female explorer, Matty McNair.

Yesterday, Mr Cooney was said to be in good shape by his father, Terry Cooney, from Thurgarton, near Nottingham, who spoke to him by satellite phone on Sunday. "He was past the 89th degree, which is a landmark, and there are less than 60 miles to go," Mr Cooney said. "He has gone through the mental barrier and is in super spirits. He just wants to get there."

When his expedition reached the pole after 45 days, Mr Avery achieved a boyhood dream of following in the footsteps of the polar explorer Captain Robert Scott nearly 100 years ago. He and his colleagues, Patrick Woodhead, a television producer from London who is a month older, Andrew Gerber, a South African, and their leader, Paul Landry from Canada, began their 702-mile journey on 17 November. Mr Gerber is the first South African to reach the pole. They completed the trek at least a week more quickly than Mr Cooney although their route was only 28 miles shorter. Their British Centenary Expedition is expected to raise £500,000 for Aids charities and the Prince's Trust.

Speaking by satellite phone, Mr Avery said: "Coming to the South Pole is a dream I have had since I was around eight, and to finally achieve it is indescribable." His father, Julian, ascribed the former Harrow schoolboy's success to a "stiff upper lip".

Mr Cooney, a leisure management graduate, is hoping to raise £10,000 for research and support for oesophageal cancer, which his father contracted five years ago.

Mr Cooney Snr, who now runs a support group for sufferers, said: "He saw what I went through and he wanted to do something to repay the care that I received."