THE grandson of a Teignmouth couple is aiming to walk, ski and swim across the Arctic pack ice.

RAF officers Wing Cmdr Matthew Stowers, 40, and Squadron Ldr Jules Weekes, 32, are attempting the extreme feat of endurance to raise funds for Combat Stress, the UK's leading military charity specialising in the care of veterans' mental health.

'We have both been at the sharp end of combat operations and while physical injuries get a lot of publicity, we want to help highlight the mental trauma that can cause so much unseen damage,' said Wing Cdr Stowers, who is the grandson of retired senior police officer Jim Stowers and his wife Eileen, who have lived in Teignmouth for many years.

The men are members of the RAF Regiment and are due to start the epic unsupported journey to geographic North Pole tomorrow.

Each will haul two 75kg sledges, 12 hours a day, for the 38 days they expect it will take.

The journey is about 400 miles and they will experience temperatures down to -40c.

The expedition will be an extreme test of their ability to operate in one of the harshest environments on earth.

Mr Stowers said the family was proud of Matthew, who has seen active service in Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan, and holds the military MBE.

'He really is an all action man and taken part in all sorts of sports and endurance feats, including rowing the Atlantic, which took 78 days, and he skied for the RAF in his 20s.'

Wing Cdr Stowers, who is stationed at High Wycombe, lived in Teignmouth for several years.