SEEDS that have been to space are being grown by young boffins in Lower Gornal.

Children at Roberts Primary School have planted the rocket seeds that were flown to the International Space Station in September on Soyuz 44s.

The seeds were sent as part of Rocket Science, an educational project launched by the RHS Campaign for School Gardening and the UK Space Agency.

Pupils have planted the 100 seeds that spent six months in microgravity alongside 100 seeds that haven't been to space.

The year five youngsters have not been told which seeds are which but will monitor and record their progress over the next seven weeks.

Their findings will be sent to RHS and UK Space Agency for analysis.

Guy de Szathmary from Dudley Environment Zone said: “It is very exciting for the children to be able to say that they have touched seeds that have been into space. It will be an exciting seven weeks to see what happens."

Teacher Gwyn Lucas added: “The children were really keen to get started and kept wondering what the seed will be like when they grow."