PUPILS at a Westhoughton school had their eyes opened to another world when they came face to face with a rocket.

The Starchaser rocket was taken to Westhoughton High School 1

as part of a plan by Salford University to promote careers in science and physics. It belongs to Starchaser Industries - a British company which is attempting to win the $10 million X Prize for sending people into space in a reusable rocket. This particular rocket was launched a mile into the air from Morecambe in November, 2001 and is the biggest to be launched in Britain. It is now used for practise launches and education purposes.

The 11-metre high rocket was driven from its base in Hyde and was parked at the front of the Bolton Road school while pupils took turns to admire it.

Post-graduate students from Salford University gave talks to Year Seven and 10 pupils. Adrian Waltho, head of science at the school, said: "All year groups had a chance to see the rocket and they were quite impressed.

"The rocket helps stimulate interest in science and proves where things can go."