Foreign Office 'blocks Sir Ranulph Fiennes' Antarctic expedition'

Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes has claimed the main problem he faces in his latest Antarctic expedition is the British government.

The 72-year-old, dubbed "the world's greatest living explorer" by the Guinness Book of Records, said the Foreign Office has blocked a bid to traverse the Antarctic during winter as it would be "embarrassing" for them if he got into difficulty.

Sir Ranulph added the "bucket list" item may have to go unticked, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Speaking at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, he said: "For 39 years now our group has tried to break world records. We have always had a problem with the same people; they are called the Norwegians.

"This makes us want to go for bucket lists where they still have not got there, and crossing the Antarctic continent in winter has never been done by anybody.

"The main problem is called the Foreign Office. They do not allow you down there because there is no rescue service for 8,000 miles during the winter and therefore you become embarrassing to your Government."

Despite his advancing years, suffering a heart attack and losing fingers to frostbite, Sir Ranulph is preparing to complete another gruelling challenge.