Around 150 youngsters were shown how to reach for the stars at an out-of-this-world event in West Cumbria.

The year nine pupils jumped aboard astronaut Tim Peake’s Samsung VR bus to experience his descent from the International Space Station at the recent event at Lakes College, Lillyhall.

It was organised by the REACT Foundation, which is celebrating its 15th birthday and sponsored by REACT Engineering, which is marking its 25th anniversary.

The organisations aimed to inspire young people from West Cumbria into science and engineering.

As well as the virtual reality ride, the pupils also undertook mission training, mixing rocket fuel, learn about the physics of space and filmed their very own spacewalk.

They visited the National College for Nuclear’s virtual reality suite to experience footage recorded during the Elevated Horizons Project from Cockermouth School and West Lakes Academy , which shows the curvature of the earth from the very edge of space.

They were also taken to REACT Engineering’s Design a Cumbrian Space Station Workshop to explore space travel and watch the Apollo 11 moon landing from 1969 under a planetarium globe and were given a talk by Starchaser.

In the evening, older students involved in the Elevated Horizons Project and primary school members of the foundation’s REACTioneers Club, visited the college for more events.

Pete Woolaghan, chair of the REACT Foundation, said: “It was a truly inspirational day and it’s been an out of this world experience for all.

"Coinciding with our own celebrations and the 50th anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s moon landing, we felt we just had to focus on a space theme.”

Kyle Hannah, of REACT Engineering, added: “It was a pleasure running the space station workshop as part of the space day.

“The enthusiasm, knowledge, creativity and collaboration demonstrated by the students was incredible, highlighting the talent and potential the local community possess.”

Chris Nattress, principal of Lakes College, said “It’s been an absolute pleasure working on the space project with everyone at REACT and hosting the event.

“It’s always hugely rewarding to support engagement with our local schools and see just how much the students are inspired by space and science – the team at REACT put together an amazing event which genuinely helped hundreds of local children reach for the stars.”