THE first Briton to enter space has landed in Hartlepool to launch a new secondary school initiative.

Helen Sharman, the only British member of the Russian scientific space mission, Project Juno in 1991, officially launched the new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) scheme at High Tunstall College of Science.

As well as visiting the school, she gave a lecture at the Borough Hall on the Headland where students from 18 schools and colleges across the Tees Valley were present.

And the astronaut's visit will be remembered as the school is setting up of four ‘houses’, each named after a celebrated figure including Helen herself, Stephen Hawking, Marie Curie, and Alan Turing.

Mark Tilling, science headteacher, said: “As a specialist science College it is fantastic to host the first Briton to go into space and I am sure her story will inspire our students.

“The lecture at the Borough Hall will become an annual event and is part of our ongoing work to raise the expectations of children and young people in Hartlepool.”

The 27-year-old secured her trip into space after she responded to an advertisement she heard on the car radio - "Astronaut wanted. No experience necessary." She was eventually selected from over 13,000 applicants and was awarded the OBE in 1993.