Rocketmen hoping to break records by sending the world's first privately made model out of earth's atmosphere have officially launched their space race in York.

Rocket enthusiasts Jago Packer, left, and Alan Bullock show off their rocket at Elvington airfield, near York. Picture: Steven Bradshaw

Jago Packer and Alan Bullock used Elvington Airfield to demonstrate the complexities of the fuelling system they hope will send their craft, White Rose 2000, higher than any other.

The pair are aiming to send the Rose more than 25,000ft into the air in the summer, breaking existing records. A further rocket, built to break the 100,000ft barrier, will hopefully be ready to go next year.

If the flights are successful, the duo hope to win a $10 million prize for building the first non-corporate-funded rocket to carry a man into space.

Mr Packer said: "We are hoping that by the end of next year we will have a working rocket which will go many thousands of feet into the air.

"Our ultimate dream is to send a man into space, but that is many, many years away."

The rocket is thought to be capable of blasting to greater heights than previously achieved because of a new propellant developed by explosive expert Mr Bullock.

And the pair are searching for companies keen to be among the first to have their names carried into space through a sponsorship deal. Anybody interested can contact the team on (01904) 492061.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.