THE Cotswold Polar Challenge Team Girls on Top are due to set off to the North Pole on Sunday despite being one team member short.

After months of training and fundraising Sam Long pulled out of the competition last month due to personal reasons and the remaining team members Tina Outlaw and Rachel Helanor have not been able to find a replacement in time.

But despite this setback the team is still determined to succeed on the 350-mile race and the duo have been busy packing and putting on weight over Easter to help them last in the freezing terrain.

Tina said: "We are still as keen as ever to complete the race and we are very excited now it is here. Everything is sorted and we are just looking forward to getting out there.

"We have a week's training when we first arrive and then we are on our own."

The Girls on Top team paid thanks to Cirencester businesses The Golden Cross and Relish for the fundraising events and Cain and Fuller, Bower and Bailey solicitors, Abbott Walker solicitors and JJ Hall painting and decorating for their sponsorship.

Tina added: "If it wasn't for all of these people we literally wouldn't be going. They have all got behind us and supported us all the way."

The progress of the team including video footage and diary entries can be followed at www.polar-challenge.com