A team of British soldiers are preparing to become the first large all-female group to walk across Antarctica.

They will have to endure temperatures of -40C and walk for up to nine hours a day carrying more than their own body weight in supplies.

Exercise Ice Maiden is currently training in Norway for the 80-day south pole challenge in September. Among the many challenges is coping with extreme cold when you need a loo break.

Maj Sandy Hennis, from Cannock, Staffordshire, said she hoped the expedition would inspire girls and women everywhere.

Correction 24 February 2017: This report initially said they would be the first female team to complete the challenge. In fact Liv Arnesen and Ann Bancroft achieved a similar feat in 2001.