An all-female troop of British soldiers has become the first of its kind to cross Antarctica using only muscle power.

The brave group skied 373 miles across treacherous ground and spent Christmas Day on the ice before reaching their final re-supply point at the base of the Thiel Mountains.

The British Army's Ice Maiden Expedition was made up of a team of six women who spent 62 days journeying across Antarctica.

They crossed the finished line at the Hercules Inlet just before 10am today led by Major Nics Wetherill and Major Natalie Taylor who are both part of the Royal Army Medical Corps.

This all-female team of British soldiers is the first of its kind to cross Antarctica using only muscle power

The group travelled 373 miles and even spent Christmas Day on the ice during their 62 day expedition

The team travelled up to a grueling 27 miles a day, navigating crevasse fields while towing sledges that weighed around 80kg (176lbs) and battling temperatures as low as minus 40C.

The expedition started on the edge of the Ross Ice Shelf on November 20 and they climbed up the Transantartic Mountains, via the Leverett Glacier, to reach the polar plateau, a large area of East Antarctica which extends over 627 miles (1,000 km).

The voyage was called The British Army's Ice Maiden Expedition and it was made up of a team of six women

The team travelled up to a grueling 27 miles a day, navigating crevasse fields while towing sledges that weighed around 80kg (176lbs)

Speaking after crossing the line, Major Wetherill said: 'I'm just so incredibly proud of the team. I can't believe how far we've come.

'This journey has had good times, bad times and great times for all concerned, and each of them, I know, has made us better people.

'I now know my five companions so well as to be able to almost tell just from the back of their heads whether they are smiling or crying, although determining this when facing them can be just as difficult with their faces obscured by hoods, goggles and masks.'

Strike a pose: The group battled temperatures as low as minus 40C but made sure to wrap up warm

The expedition started on the edge of the Ross Ice Shelf on November 20 and the team climbed up the Transantartic Mountains, via the Leverett Glacier

The team stayed in tents during their time on the ice like the one pictured

The other four members of the team were reservist Major Sandy Hennis of the Royal Signals, Captain Zanna Baker and Lieutenant Jenni Stephenson, both of the Royal Artillery, and Honourable Artillery Company reservist Lance Sergeant Sophie Montagne.

Major Taylor added: 'I have spent the last few days trying to imprint this beautiful landscape in my mind. We have called it home for close to two months now and I will, in a strange way, miss it a lot.

'The snow sparkles like there is a layer of pearls on the surface and everywhere you look there is beauty and stillness. The photos just don't do it justice.'

Major Nics Wetherill said: 'I'm just so incredibly proud of the team. I can't believe how far we've come'

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson congratulated the 'heroic' and 'trailblazing' team.

'They are an inspiration to us all and are role models to young people across the country,' he said.

'They truly demonstrate why the British Armed Forces are the best in the world, and show that with hard work, courage, and determination anything is possible.

'We are immensely proud of them and what they have achieved.'