STUDENTS from Bolton and Bury were due to launch their school-made rockets on Saturday on a private airfield near Lincoln.

Teams from the schools were provided with rocket kits and information to help them build the rockets, which are capable of travelling at 600 mph and reaching 4,000 feet.

Their rocket science was being put to the final test at a private airfield in Sleaford, Lincolnshire.

The launch is the final stage of the UK Aerospace Challenge 2003. The winning team will go on to take part in the Space Olympics, a major rocket science competition in Russia.

Charlotte Chadwick, Director of the Education Business Partnership, said: "The students and schools involved have shown real dedication to the project."