Stott hails 'space list achievement'

Experts in the space industry are pondering the possibility of the 'Isle of Man on the moon!'

A recent industry survey rates the Island at 50-1 to win the race back to the lunar surface, behind the United States, China, India and Russia.

As evidence it cites the growing number of Manx space tourism firms with an interest in manned lunar flypasts.

The USA remains favourite to win the race, despite a recent move to scrap NASA plans for a lunar return.

Chairman of Manx satellite company ManSat Chris Stott told the BBC it was a fantastic achievement for the Isle of Man to be ranked so highly in such a list.

But he also admitted it was unlikely any space flights would ever blast off directly from the Island: