A group of teenagers from Keighley are to jet off to Russia to compete in the Space Olympics.

The 21 young Guide leaders and Explorer Scouts will travel to Moscow in October, to compete against other 16 and 17-year-olds from across the world in the 12th International Space Olympics.

During the ten days the budding aeronautical engineers will have to sit exams in maths and physics and give a presentation about an aspect of the space programme.

The youngsters are currently working on three different projects to present to the Olympic judges.

The first is about space debris and will research into the different types of debris in space, where it comes from, what causes it and how to collect it to make it a safer environment for rockets and space stations.

The second group is looking at inflatable structures in space and seeing what kind of materials and fabrics could be used to build a hut that could support human life on Mars.

The third group is studying satellites and hoping to prove how easy it would be for people without much technological knowledge to design a satellite to take a picture in space.

As part of the Olympics the group will also have the chance to explore the Russian capital city.

Carol Vaughn, pre-16 administrator for Keighley College, said the project had been organised through a constructive partnership between Keighley College and Yorkshire Forward, which funded it, in a bid to encourage more young people back into science, maths and engineering.

She said: "They have done all the research themselves, put the presentations together and will have to deliver them."

Before the presentations in Russia, the youngsters will give talks to their parents and staff at the Hanover International Hotel, in Skipton, on October 1.