2ND STORY: Rocket Launched (below)

A space fanatic is hoping to become the first amateur to fly through the atmosphere by taking the "next big step" towards his dream.

Steve Bennett, of Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, is launching his latest and most ambitious rocket to date.

The launch, on the mudflats of Morecambe Bay, Cumbria, is designed to test the aerodynamics, launch and recovery systems of the single-pilot craft, Nova.

If it proves successful he will then be clear to send himself up in a rocket for the first time next year.

He claims to be "Britain's answer to Nasa" and hopes that one day he will become the first non-government organisation in space.

Having started building rockets as a teenager, Mr Bennett formed his own company, Starchaser, in Hyde, Greater Manchester, in 1992 as an experimental test rocket programme.

His main aim is to take two passengers into space in his dream spacecraft, Thunderbird.

In doing so, Mr Bennett hopes to win the £7 million X Prize for piloting the craft.

Lift off for rocket man's 'next big step'

A space fanatic, hoping to become the first amateur to fly in space, has launched his latest, most ambitious craft.

Steve Bennett's first manned launch could be just months away after the rocket flew to around 5,000 feet, in what he claimed was an 85% success.

His 37-foot Nova craft, was launched from mudflats overlooking Morecambe Bay in Cumbria.

Now, just one more test flight stands in his way before Bennett climbs into the rocket himself early next year.

Having started building rockets as a teenager, Mr Bennett formed his own company, Starchaser, in Hyde, Greater Manchester, in 1992.

A decade on, he claims to have put the technology in place for a successful manned flight into space.

Following today's launch, Mr Bennett, of Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, said: "I have always dreamed about flying into space. I have always dreamed of going up in a rocket.

Now I've got one and we have proved it works.

"We have just proved the doubters wrong. We have physically demonstrated in the best way imaginable that we have what it takes to deliver."