YOUNGSTERS from Bolton had stars in their eyes when they met astronaut Major Tim Peake, who spent six months on the International Space Station.

Major Peake blasted off into orbit on board the Soyuz space capsule in December to become the first British astronaut to join the crew on the space station.

Young people from Sharples High School were chosen from hundreds to meet him and be part of the Schools Principia Conference at the University of York, after writing a winning bid which mentioned their own school observatory and the astronomy club they are members of.

Deputy headteacher Caroline Molyneux said: “Tim met and spoke to every single pupil. When he came out it was quite emotional for us.

“This was about inspiring the next generation of scientists and Tim did inspire them.”

She added: “The students also got the opportunity to hear from other schools about their astronomy work.”

The pupils, among the youngest in the school, were chosen to attended the conference, for writing the bid.

And they certainly left a lasting impression on Major Peake, after performing a specially written song inspired by the track Pompeii by Bastille, but with the words changed to reflect the astronaut’s experience.

Zeena Begum, aged 13, presented Major Peake with a homemade cake decorated with his Principia mission patch, while Matthew Brown, aged 14, asked him if he knew any good space jokes.

Major Peake chatted with the group about their work using the observatory at the school.

Rowan Edlington, aged 12, explained to Major Peake how pupils had viewed the transit of Mercury at school back in May using telescopes with solar filters. Miss Molyneux said: “Tim told our pupils that he had also been watching from the International Space Station.

“It was a fantastic day and inspirational for the students.” Max Marsden-Price, aged 12, said: “It was an amazing day and I got to meet my hero Tim Peake. It makes me want to be an astronaut.”

Lily Elms, aged 12, said: “It was fantastic and the whole crowd cheered when Tim came out. It was funny when Matthew told him a joke and Tim Peake laughed.”