A BUDDING scientist from Northwich has dedicated his summer holidays to creating a unique photographic pod that takes images as it rises through space.

Nathaniel Harwood, aged 17, from Freshwater View, has become the youngest male in Britain to send an unmanned craft into space, after his invention was launched in Aberystwyth yesterday.

The purpose-built pod contains a camera that captured a variety of spectacular photographs of Cheshire and the surrounding areas during its 130 minute journey.

The student at Sir John Deane’s College talked of the idea behind his innovative invention.

He said: “It was at the beginning of July and I needed something to do over the holidays.

“My invention is a heavy duty balloon – which means it can go higher than a normal balloon – and it was tethered to a parachute connected to a black box which kept the heat equipment, battery pack, camera and GPS tracking system safe.

“The box was then released using a parachute, and we could track it on the GPS, which predicted it to land somewhere in Birmingham.”

Nathaniel added: “I think it is fantastic and exciting to be able to explore space.

“I want to do science in a few years time, and I thought this would be really good to do.

“The prospect of having some unique images taken from 100,000 feet above Cheshire is incredible. I’m so inspired by space and hope this will encourage more people to think up their own exploration projects.”

The invention attracted sponsorship from local business The Hut, amounting to £230, with the total cost at £350.

Richard Chapple, a spokesman for thehut.com, said: “We were very impressed with Nathaniel’s ingenuity and dedication and his project is highly complex – we wish him the best of luck.”