SCHOOL children have received an out of this world surprise – seeds from space.

The seeds were sent to Witton Gilbert Primary School, near Durham, from Major Tim Peake, who is currently on the International Space Station (ISS), delivered by an “astronaut” and will be used in a mass experiment into the effects of microgravity.

Teacher Mei Mei Quiney said: “The children are buzzing about taking part – I’ve four-year-olds talking about microgravity and seed germination.

“It’s exciting to think they’re doing something that could potentially help shape the future of space travel.”

Under the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Rocket Science experiment, last September 2kg of rocket seeds were flown to the ISS, where they were held in microgravity for six months, in the care of Maj Peake.

Pupils at Witton Gilbert received 100 of those seeds, plus another 100 that have not been into Space.

The results, along with others from schools across the country, will be analysed by scientists from the RHS and European Space Agency.

Mrs Quiney said: “Many of the children now want to be scientists or astronauts.

“This has been a great way of getting children to talk about STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects from an early stage in their education.”