AN ASTRONAUT who flew around the earth 110 times in the Space Shuttle will touch down in Bolton tonight to speak to teenage pilots about his amazing experience.

Don Lind (pictured) will tell the 80th Squadron Air Training Corps about his journey in Challenger, the vessel that tragically exploded nine months later killing seven of his close friends.

The 70-year-old American calls at Nelson Barracks as part of his year-long tour of the country acting as an ambassador for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Mr Lind joined NASA in 1966 and finally got his chance to fly the Space Shuttle in April 1985. On the mission he acted as the payload commander and was in charge of 15 experiments.

He finally returned to earth after seven days flying over the globe and travelling just under three million miles.

As well as his experience on the Space Shuttle the astronaut was also a senior figure on the support crew for the Apollo 11 moon landing, the most famous flight in the history of space travel. After a 22 year career with Nasa he left to teach physics and astro-physics at the Utah State University.

Maurice Nolan, Greater Manchester press officer for The Church of the Latter-Day Saints, said the evening should be very entertaining.

He added: "Don will be speaking to 14-18 year olds who want to join the air force and flying in space would probably be the ultimate experience for them. He will talk about his experiences in space and the other spiritual dimensions of being in space.

"He will also bring with him official footage of the Challenger flight which has recently been de-classified."

Because of high security at the barracks on Nelson Street, members of the public will not be able to attend the lecture.