HISTORY-making Hexworthy explorer Pen Hadow will be made an honorary freeman of West Devon borough next week.
Pen made history in May this year after walking solo to the North Pole via the toughest route and will received the honour at a special civic ceremony held by the council on Tuesday, July 8.
The 41-year-old polar veteran said: ?Although various invitations and opportunities have come my way since I returned, it?s particularly special to be honoured by your own community in a way like this. It?s wonderful.?
This is the first time the borough council has ever awarded the honour since it received its Royal Charter in 1982. Because of this relatively short history there are no unusual rights attached to the freemanship.
West Devon mayor, cllr Peter Hill will confer the honorary freemanship in recognition of Mr Hadow?s ?magnificent achievement?.
Cllr Hill said: ?It takes a remarkable individual to accomplish such as amazing triumph. I am full of admiration for Pen?s pure courage and determination.?
Pen Hadow?s expedition took 15 years to plan. The solo unsupported trek covered 478 miles from Canada to the geographic North Pole, and took him 64 days to complete, one day less than planned, with temperatures falling as low as -45c.
The explorer, who returned to his West Devon home only a month ago, also faced challenges like swimming frozen sea water and had to negotiate huge pressure ridges during his journey across the moving Arctic waters, which he ended on foot after losing a ski.