British polar explorer Pen Hadow was rescued from the North Pole yesterday after being stranded for eight days - and came in for criticism from his rescuers.

It was "a bit stupid" to have set out to become the first person to reach the geographic North Pole from Canada at this time of year, said Steve Penikett, of Calgary-based Kenn Borek Air, which rescued the 41-year-old explorer who had been in a tent stuck on floating ice.

The issue was not that Mr Hadow was going to run out of rations, but that people's lives were at risk during the rescue mission, he said.

"Landing on the North Pole at this time of year is not the brightest thing people can do because of the weather and ice conditions.

"The ice is breaking up, which makes it very difficult to find somewhere to land."

Mr Haddow, from Devon, reached the North Pole on Monday, May 19, but since then weather conditions had prevented rescue teams reaching him.

He had been on half rations of nuts, chocolate and dried fruit since Thursday.

Mr Penikett said that the rescue team had headed towards Mr Hadow on Monday night but they could not land alongside him and so waited about 30 miles away for better weather conditions and more light.

Mr Hadow marked out an area on the ice, although it was moving so rapidly that it was dangerous for everyone involved, said Mr Penikett.

But the rescue had gone well. Although he had not yet been able to speak to the crew, he believed Mr Hadow was in good health.

"He has had quite a trek and I'm sure he's very tired and hungry. But he's done well. Many people have tried this with varying degree of success. Anyone who gets there has achieved a good thing."

From her Dartmoor home, Mary Hadow told of her joy at hearing from her husband.

"It was so lovely to hear his voice. I just burst into tears," she said.