STUDENTS at a Burnley college had an out-of-this-world experience when a cosmonaut and scientist on the Russian space programme paid them a visit.

Cosmonaut Alexander Volkov, who has spent almost 400 days in orbit including time on the MIR space station, and Dr Alexander Martynov, former Head of Ballistics at Russian Mission Control, gave a talk to children at Blessed Trinity RC College.

The scientists have been in the UK visiting different universities and schools across the country, including London, Manchester and Bradford.

Paul Dugdale, the school's curriculum leader for science, managed to find a space in the Russian duo's busy diary and arranged for them to spend a day at Blessed Trinity at the very end of their trip, on Monday.

Mr Dugdale said: "They gave a talk to around 100 boys at the Ormerod Road site, and then to a group of about 200 at the Coal Clough Lane building, including some from Sir John Thursby Community College who came over especially.

"Our students were those who have done well in their recent assessments, and the chance to hear the scientists was a bit of a reward."

The Russians told their audience about what it is like to be in space, and some of the difficulties you can encounter.

Mr Dugdale said: "Mr Volkov, who has spent more than a year in space altogether, spoke of how it takes a while to get used to being back on Earth - one time he was so used to being able to put food and drink in front of him in space, where it floats, he did the same when he was at home, which led to food and drink all over the floor!"

Cosmonaut Mr Volkov, who is in the Guinnes Book of Records for the longest space walk, spoke and showed a film about living in space. Dr Martynov told the students about the current Russian plan to go on a space mission to Mars.

"It was fascinating, and the students loved it, we couldn't stop them asking questions and they got their autograph too, it's not often you meet an astronaut," said Mr Dugdale.

""It was a great opportunity because we're always trying to make science interesting for them, which this certainly was. Some of our students were already interested in astronomy, and there's quite a few more thanks to this, so we're looking to start a course in it.

"There's also a chance that we will be able to arrange a return visit for some students to Moscow, which would be fantastic."

And Mr Dugdale made sure the cosmonauts got to see some of East Lancashire's sights.

"Funnily enough they had never visited Burnley before, so I showed them a few places at the weekend before they flew on Monday - they loved it, and were particularly impressed with our local beer!"