A FATHER is learning how to fight off a polar bear as he prepares to face the coldest rugby match of his life to break a world record.

James Hardin, 40, of Piltdown, near Uckfield, will trek to the North Pole in April in an attempt to set a Guinness World Record for playing the most northerly rugby match in history.

It is less than 100 days before the trip but before then he has to fit in another series of intensive training sessions where they will learn what to do if they meet a polar bear, and how to brave sub-zero temperatures and blizzards while each pulling a 60 kilo sledge as they walk 20 miles a day. The investment director is one of 15 people taking part in the challenge including rugby stars such as Brighton-born Ollie Phillips, guided by expedition leader Josh Wishart.

Mr Hardin said the first weekend of training was an essential learning curve.

He said: “It was a real wake-up call, no matter how prepared or fit you think you are, the sand dunes training made me realise there’s a lot more work to be done to be Arctic fit.

“There will be harrowing winds, and about minus 30C but if the winds pick up it could be minus 50C so we need to be prepared.”