A WORLD record breaker reached the Magnetic North Pole to play rugby in Arctic conditions last Tuesday.

Stephen Henry, of Bicester, took on the Arctic Rugby challenge by trekking 100 miles to the North Pole to play a record-breaking seven-a-side rugby match there for children’s rugby charity Wooden Spoon.

The 32-year-old was joined by 10 fellow rugby fans, in temperatures of -30C, and were up against ex-internationals Tim Stimpson and Ollie Phillips.

After the five-day trek, the most northerly match in history – refereed by ex-England star Lee Mears – was attended by a small group of supporters and polar guides.

Speaking from the Artic, Mr Phillips said: “We had high winds, we had steep hills to get over, we had ice, we had snow.

"But everyone came through.”

Mr Henry has so far raised £11,342 for Wooden Spoon, which supports disabled and disadvantaged children. To donate visit justgiving.com/ArcticRugbySteve/

“It was pretty tough all round, I think everyone will be going to be pretty exhausted to be honest and slightly relieved that today is over really.