YOUNG space biologists are taking part in an experiment that is – literally – out of this world.

Pupils at Blackshaw Primary School are now officially part of astronaut Tim Peake’s space mission — as they grow rocket seeds which were flown to the International Space Station (ISS) on Soyuz 44S.

The seeds spent months in microgravity before returning to Earth last month and were given to lucky schools to grow in a number of controlled experiments.

The Breightmet school received a packet of 100 seeds from space, which they will grow alongside seeds that haven’t been to space and measure the differences.

The children won’t know which packet contains which seeds until all results have been collected by RHS Campaign for School Gardening. The experiment is designed to get children thinking about how to preserve human life on another planet in the future, what astronauts need to survive long-term missions in space and the difficulties surround growing fresh food in challenging climates.

Martin Baynes, year four teacher, said: “The children have started planted the seeds and they very excited. They know about Tim Peake and the seeds have been in space, and now they are in their classroom. This experiment is helping them share in the space experience. It has got them thinking about whether the seeds will grow, some say they won’t grow.”

The year four class will now complete charts detailing their findings and how the rockets seeds are growing — if at all.

Lucas Brangca, aged eight, said: “It is really exciting seeds which have been in space.

“There is no oxygen in space and that could have done something to the seeds.

“We will be checking on the seeds to see how they do.”

Isabella Taylor, aged nine, added: “It is really amazing planting seeds which have been in space.

“It is really special that we are taking part in the project, because I am really interested in space — so this is really exciting."

Hardy Mill School in Harwood is also taking part in the experiment along with other schools in Bolton.