THREE men from the south are shaping up to take part in a gruelling and dangerous team race to the magnetic North Pole next month.

The Polar Race is the first ever race to be held in such extreme conditions.

Director of management consultancy Mission Performance Chris McLeod will captain the team, consisting of fellow employees Phil Ashby, 32, and Manley Hopkinson, 40, to the top of the world where they will face extreme weather conditions and the threat of agressive polar bears.

Together they are hoping to raise money for one of Cancer Research's charities - The Bobby Moore Foundation.

The 400-mile trek from Resolute Bay in the former Northwest territories of Canada towards the magnetic north pole is billed as "probably the world's toughest race". A host of other teams are competing.

The race starts on April 9 and is likely to last between 30-40 days depending on the weather. Each competitor will pull a 70kg - that's 11-stone - sledge on skis and on foot.

Temperatures will fall below minus 40C and as if that is not enough, there is the ever-present danger of polar bears and open water.

The race continues along the west coast of the island before crossing to the Polaris mine on Little Cornwallis Island. This will be the first check and resupply point with an option to exit by plane for those who do not feel able to continue.

Father-of-two Chris, 33, whose business is based in Shirrel Heath, near Southampton, is looking forward to the event which he described as "the greatest race of our lives".

He added: "It will certainly be a change from our Southampton scenery.

"Our entry into the Polar Race 2003 gives us the chance to apply what we know, raise money for charity, work together and conquer a challenge of our own in some of the most extreme weather conditions on this planet.

"It is going to be a dangerous experience for us and understandably a worry for our families, but I hope that it will give my children something to aspire to."

Chris lives in Chichester with wife, Helen, and children Millie, three and 18-month old Rory. Phil lives in Cirencester with wife Anna and Manley is from Twickenham and lives with wife Kate and six month old son, Frey.

Celebrity names taking part in the race include twice Grand National winner Richard Dunwoody and Babs Powell, better known for Pan's People and being the wife of actor Robert Powell.

RACE STAGES:

Stage 1

Resolute Bay (7443'N 9453'W) to the Polaris Mine on Little Cornwallis Island (Checkpoint 1 - 7524'N 977'W) 65 miles

Stage 2

Polaris Mine to a waypoint, North of Bathurst Island (Checkpoint 2 - 7652'N 10018'W) 130 miles

Stage 3

Bathurst Island to a waypoint near King Christian Island (Checkpoint 3 - 780'N 10250'W) 95 miles

Stage 4

King Christian Island to magnetic Pole Position (Finish 7835.7'N 10411.9'W) 60 miles