A rocket which could soon carry a person into space landed at a school yesterday.

Budding engineers and scientists at Walbottle Campus Technology College, Newcastle, welcomed the arrival of creator Steve Bennett and his Starchaser, which is on target to become the first privately-built rocket to put a man into space.

PTC, one of the world's largest providers of engineering design software, has launched a nationwide campaign in conjunction with Manchester firm Starchaser Industries to visit schools across the country, promoting careers in engineering, science and technology.

Walbottle headteacher David Besford said: "The anticipation and excitement throughout the school which has emerged as a result of this programme is there for everyone to see."

The rocket is the latest in a series of successful designs created by Starchaser Industries and is the test bed for a rocket which Mr Bennett believes will become the first privately-built rocket to put a man into space.

Mr Bennett and his team are aiming to complete this challenge in October 2004 to claim a $10m prize, which is on offer to the first non-governmental organisation to fly three people 100 kilometres into space - and return them safely down.