One of the world's leading polar explorers, Ann Daniels, has been awarded an honorary degree by the University of Bradford.

The intrepid mum of four children, including triplets, who was born and grew up in Allerton, donned robes instead of thermal gear to be made an honorary doctor at yesterday's ceremony .

The 43-year-old, who made the 269-mile journey by car from her Devon home without encoutering any freak blizzards, polar bears or 30ft perilous ice ridges, received the honour in recognition of her adventurous achievements.

"I can't tell you how much it means to me to get an honorary degree from the university in my home city. I'm absolutely thrilled," she said.

Ann took time out of training for her next ground-breaking expedition due to leave Alaska in February to measure the thickness of the North Polar ice cap and predict how long it will survive before permanent meltdown.

"Training is pretty intense right now. I have to lug tyres around for two hours, three times a week, do lots of road work, circuit training and gym workouts."

But, she said, the diet on the ice is not so bad: "It's a girl's dream really. On my last expedition I ate 75 kilos of chocolate. You have to cram in as many calories for as little weight as you can, so that means plenty of chocolates, nuts and dehydrated food."

Their findings will build on ice-core readings taken 40 years ago on a mission led by Sir Wally Herbert.

Ann's new adventure, which will take around ten million such readings, will take until June to complete and see her teaming up with other top explorers and environmentalists including Pen Hadow.

The ice team will walk 1,170 miles in 120 days in temperatures as low as -50 deg C with a wind-chill of 90 deg C, covering about 11 miles a day pulling sledges weighing 13.5 stone.

Until she was 30 Ann, who went to St Mary's School in Menston and once worked in a bank, had never walked with a rucksack on her back.

It was only after spotting a newspaper advert seeking ordinary women to join the 1997 McVities Penguin Polar Relay that her adventuring began.

Since then the trekker has been a member of the first all-women's expedition to walk to both the North and South Poles and devotedly campaigns hard to highlight dangers threatening the frozen polar environment.

Two years ago the explorer had her bid to become the first woman to ski solo to the North Geographic Pole beaten by bureaucracy.

She had to be airlifted off the ice after 121 nautical miles and 20 days, with 399 nautical miles to go in the 40 days left before her scheduled pickup - because of conflict between logistic organisations in the region which could have jeopardised her safety.

"I'll miss my children but I will just remember why I am doing what I'll be doing. I am one of the few people who can make this expedition work and our findings will help scientists and ultimately help the planet."

Other notables honoured by Bradford University included Bradford poet and author Joolz Denby who got an honorary Doctor of Letters.

Barrister, Lord Brennan of Bibury, was also recognised for the contribution he made as a member of the Bar and for his work as a judge and Queen's Counsel.

And "People's Peer", Lord Adebowale of Thornes, was honoured for his achievements as chief executive of social care charity, Turning Point.

e-mail: kathie.griffiths @bradford.newsquest.co.uk