BUDDING space cadets can reach for the stars thanks to an exciting new educational partnership between a shopping centre and an aeronautical expert.

Stretford Mall manager Gareth Wilkins has teamed up with former engineer Roger Brown, who runs a space-themed events company, to launch a series of free weekly Kids in Space sessions blasting off on Friday September 4.

During the inter-galactic voyage of discovery young astronauts will have the chance to make models of flying objects from butterflies to rockets and take the controls of some hi-tech pieces of kit like a 3D printer.

Roger has a background in engineering.

After leaving Victoria Park School in Stretford, Roger, now 69, began a high-flying career as an apprentice at the world-famous Ferranti factory in Wythenshawe helping to build Britain’s Bloodhound ballistic missile.

He then graduated as a computer technician before being head-hunted to work in the Middle East on the installation, commissioning and maintenance of the sophisticated computer networks used in the oil industry.

Later in his career Roger started his own management consultancy business and used his enthusiasm for teaching science to youngsters to run a number of seminars on the space industry for groups of up to 400 children in Abu Dhabi.

When he retired and came back to the UK a few years ago he brought this experience to bear when he founded Kids in Space.

The organisation aims to inspire children and young people to achieve within their community through the medium of outer space and related hi-tech subjects.

Since 2013 Kids in Space, with Roger at the helm, has worked closely with schools and youth groups on space-themed activities.

Now he and his colleague Alan Clare, another aerospace enthusiast with a flair for making model airplanes, are preparing to launch a special series of Kids in Space open workshops at Stretford Mall, starting on September 4.

Roger said: “The workshop sessions, which are funded by Trafford Housing Trust Stretford, will run every Friday for two hours, from 4.30-6.30pm, in the Atrium at Stretford Mall."