YOUNG scientists are to take part in a school experiment to grow seeds from space.

Children from Witton Gilbert Primary School, near Durham, have been chosen to grow 100 seeds brought back from the International Space Station.

In September, 2kg of seeds were on board the rocket Soyuz 44S when it blasted off on its mission to the space station.

They are being kept on board in microgravity for six months, before being returned to Earth by astronaut Scott Kelly in April.

Schools across the UK will then be given 200 seeds, half of which have been into space and the rest of which have remained on Earth.

Pupils will grow the two sets of seeds, without knowing which is which, and record the results to see if there are any differences between the seedlings.

The Rocket Science Experiment, run by the Royal Horticultural Society in partnership with the UK Space Agency, aims to encourage pupils to think about how plants might grow in space.

Paula Nelson, head teacher at Witton Gilbert Primary School, said: “We are delighted to be taking part in Rocket Science – it will be an exciting way for our young scientists to contribute to a national experiment and share their learning with the whole school community.

“Hopefully their experience with the project will encourage them to get involved in growing plants and also inspire them to find out more about future careers in Stem subjects including horticulture, plant science and the space industry as a whole.”