A group of wounded service personnel who will attempt to race across the South Pole have undergone vital medical checks ahead of their expedition.

The six adventurers, who are part of Walking With The Wounded (WWTW), are expected to be joined by the charity's patron Prince Harry when they set out on the journey in November.

The team of six will eventually be whittled down to four, who will race against similar groups from the US and around the Commonwealth to reach the Pole.

As part of their preparations, the five amputees and a serving soldier with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have undergone a medical screening at the Institute of Naval Medicine in Gosport, Hampshire.

Ed Parker, co-founder of WWTW, said the announcement from Harry, made as he came back from Afghanistan, was a morale boost.

He said: "As the patron of the charity, Prince Harry has been able to give us a huge amount of support, and to hear he is hoping he can come along is fantastic news. I know he is very keen to come out with us."

The team underwent medical and physiological screening to help them develop a training package.