FOUR soldiers who were badly injured while fighting on the frontline in Afghanistan are to test their recoveries by trekking to the North Pole.

The serving members of Catterick Garrison-based Royal Dragoon Guards will be joined by explorer David Hempleman-Adams as they attempt to cover 60 nautical miles over six days to become the first team of servicemen to trek to both North and South Poles.

Three members of the team trekked to the South Pole in the centenary year of Scott’s fateful expedition and the fourth has recently returned from retracing Shackleton’s journey in the Antarctic.

The men returned to full fitness after receiving help from the Army Recovery Capability (ARC), a Ministry of Defence-led initiative in partnership with Help for Heroes and the Royal British Legion to provide wounded, injured and sick personnel with the recovery services and resources.

Captain Adam Crookshank, 32, was hit by fragments from a mortar suffering injuries to the right side of his face and head, and his right and left lower arms. He underwent surgery on his face last August.

Sergeant Robbie Harmer, 32, was shot through the side of the leg while attempting to evacuate a local builder who had been shot in the stomach.

Corporal Ollie Bainbridge MC, 26, was injured during a firefight when a grenade landed next to him blowing him up. Shrapnel shattered his elbow and caused soft tissue damage to his leg.

Lance Corporal Nick Webb, 25, was blown up by a roadside bomb while on tour in 2010 - the second one he had hit in a matter of weeks – which broke his heel bone.

The soldiers said they hoped the trek, funded by Swedish billionaire philanthropist Dr Fredrik Paulsen, would highlight the work of the ARC and the importance of Joint Services Adventurous Training, while also raising money for ABF: The Soldiers Charity.

Adventurous Training is mandated military training involving any disciplines ranging from sailing to skiing, to develop individual courage, leadership skills, teamwork and physical fitness.

An Army spokesman said: "There is nothing tougher than polar exploration which will incorporate several of the disciplines and test the participants to an extreme."

The team will the UK for Longyearbyen, Norway on April 10, before before being flown to the start point at the 89th degree.

They will trek the last degree to the North Pole from April 15 - 21.