Space tourism firm launches largest rocket to blast off from UK mainland

Skybolt 2 successfully launched from back of truck in Northumberland carrying science project, cameras and a stuffed toy

The largest rocket to blast off from the British mainland has launched from Northumberland for a test flight, fuelling hopes that it could pave the way for commercial flights into space.

Built and privately funded by the Manchester-based firm Starchaser, the Skybolt 2 successfully fired into the sky from the back of a converted flatbed truck in Otterburn, a village 31 miles north-east of Newcastle in the usually tranquil Northumberland national park.