POLAR explorer Robert Swan is hoping for anything but snow when he gets married tomorrow in his hometown.

The first man to walk unaided to both North and South Poles is set to tie the knot with fiancee Nicole Gallacher at St Mary's Church in Wycliffe, near Barnard Castle, County Durham.

He told The Northern Echo that he was worried it might snow on his big day and was keeping a keen eye on the weather.

"I'm nervous about the wedding, as is usual, but I'm even more nervous if it snows," he joked.

"I'd be the last person expected to get lost in a snow drift and there'd be no excuses if I arrived at the church late!"

Mr Swan, 46, met his bride-to-be in London and the couple have been together for about a year-and-a-half.

Miss Gallacher, 30, who works in public relations and marketing, is from Cape Town, South Africa, and accompanied Mr Swan to Antarctica last year. She lives with him at Barras, near Brough, Cumbria.

About 60 guests will attend the church ceremony at 5pm, before joining the newlyweds for a reception at the Morritt Arms, Greta Bridge. "We decided on Wycliffe church because this is our home and it's a real family affair," said Mr Swan. "My mother Margaret, who is 87, is the real guest of honour and my best man is Edward Peta.

"Nicole's family have come all the way from South Africa for the ceremony and they are finding it a bit chilly."

Mr Swan's eight-year-old son Barney from a previous marriage has travelled from his home in Cairns, Australia, to act as ring bearer. "He's finding it a bit chilly as well but he's very excited and has been very helpful for an eight-year-old boy."

On Monday, the couple will travel with Barney to South Africa, to take part in a charity yacht race from Cape Town to Rio. They will then take Barney home to Australia.

In February, Mr Swan returns to Antarctica where his team will install a sustainable rubbish recycling system.