Satellite link-ups are par for the course for astronauts. However, they normally involve Mission Control and not a throng of primary school children.

Claire Burbage reports on what happened when North-East space traveller Dr Nicholas Patrick gave youngsters a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

THE children sat in awe when the television screen flicked on. Standing in front of them, smiling through the camera and live from Nasa headquarters, was a real-life astronaut.

From the small room in Eston City Learning Centre, in Middlesbrough, Dr Nicholas Patrick was greeted by a wave of red jumpers and a crowd eager to hang on his every word.

Yesterday, pupils from St Peter's Primary School, in Brotton, east Cleveland, were given the opportunity to talk to one of the seven astronauts privileged to be part of one of the most challenging shuttle missions in Nasa's history.

"What is it like to take off? Have you ever met Neil Armstrong? What is the food like?" It was hard to get in so many questions during the 30-minute interview.

Father-of-three Dr Patrick, 42, originally from Saltburn, east Cleveland, was onboard the space shuttle Discovery, which blasted off from the Kennedy Space Centre last December.

During the mission, Dr Patrick and his crew delivered a £5.6m addition to the International Space Station. On his return, he was asked to help out with another mission - one closer to home.

St Peter's School's science club is working towards the finals of a regional competition in an attempt to win £1,000. Pupils are challenged with designing a "moon pad" for five astronauts to live in for three months for the finals of RTC North's Future's Challenge competition.

And at 2pm our time - 8am his time - the youngsters took full advantage of quizzing an expert.

"Can you tell us what it is like to take off into space - is it frightening?" asked one youngster.

"It's not frightening, but it is very exciting," replied Dr Patrick.

He went on to tell of his experience living and eating in space, of meeting legendary astronauts Neil Armstrong and John Young, and his desire to one day return to his childhood home in east Cleveland.

Assistant headteacher Richard Unthank said: "It has been a fabulous opportunity - one we will never forget."

School governor Hugh Melvin, who set up the event up, said: "We are really quite chuffed about it. The fact that we were getting information from someone who has been in space is wonderful.