Space-loving schoolchildren beamed into NASA as part of a bid to inspire scientists of the future.

The Year 5 pupils, from Abbotsbury Primary School in Morden, spoke to astrophysicist Dr Karwan Rostem, who is an uncle of one of the children.

Dr Rostem and a colleague told the children about their work to develop an instrument that will be able to record the cosmic sounds that were made by the big bang.

Year 5 teacher Kunal Suni said: "I couldn’t believe that an uncle really worked at NASA.

"The children were really excited, and they all dressed up.

"I’m sure some of them are inspired now to do something like that.

"He wants to take part again in a research sense, to see how best to communicate with children on such a difficult topic. We’re definitely going to carry on and do it again."

The session, with Dr Rostem and his colleague, took place on Wednesday, October 7.

Headteacher Ro Maybury, said: "This is part of our exciting creative curriculum and our way of inspiring scientists of the future."

Student Sivane Sriramesh said: "I felt privileged to have the opportunity to communicate with NASA."