Bradford's Children's University is linking with Russia's space centre to help give young people the chance to become cosmonauts.

The university was set up last year to boost children's ambitions and education.

Now director Mark Curtis, who was seconded from Keighley College for two years, is to travel to a training base in Korolev, near Moscow, to discuss his ideas.

And cosmonaut Alexander Volkov will talk to students when he visits Keighley College at the end of this week.

Mr Curtis said he hoped to take a primary school teacher and a secondary school science head teacher with him on his trip, which could be in May.

"We will be looking at the possibility of students from Bradford aged eight to 13 going over for a week to look at the training school and take part in activities," he said. "And it's a possibility someone could eventually go over to Russia to train to be a cosmonaut. If we have young people interested in science and space we can help make a space career a reality for them."

Mr Volkov will be talking about the Russian Mars mission and telling youngsters about his job. He will also be showing a video of a mission and life in an international space station.

Mr Curtis, who was appointed by Bradford Vision, said he was also setting up links with the University of Bradford, the district's colleges, schools and businesses. He plans a variety of out-of-school activities which will often be linked to a vocation.