SPACE-TRAVELLING trees are set to land in the Ribble Valley.

Two 'moon trees' will take pride of place in the borough, grown from seeds originally taken aboard the 1971 Apollo 14 moon mission as part of a scientific experiment.

Years after the mission, they successfully grew into saplings on their return to earth, and then into trees, and eventually produced seeds for themselves.

Now it is these seeds that are to find their way to the Ribble Valley, and, in the hands of the council, will be grown and planted in the historic grounds of Clitheroe Castle and the cemetery arboretum.

Moon trees can be found across the world, in locations including the White House, but it is thought to be the first time that Lancashire has played home to the them.

The council hopes they will become an attraction for visitors.

David Hewitt, Ribble Valley countryside officer, said: "The seeds were among a small number of items that the Apollo astronauts took onboard the command module.

"After their return, the seeds were germinated and the trees planted at selected sites across the US.

"I have been lucky enough to source seeds from these first generation moon trees and intend sowing and growing them, until they are large enough to be planted.

"This is an exciting environmental project and these trees will be a fitting monument to one of the most momentous occasions in modern history, albeit in a quiet corner of Clitheroe."

The Apollo 14 space mission, launched on January 31, 1971, was mankind's third successful trip to the moon's surface.

The craft touched down on the lunar surface five days later.

One of the Apollo astronauts, Stuart Roosa, a former US Forestry Service smoke jumper, or firefighter, orbited above in the command module with hundreds of tree seeds packed in his personal kit.

They were taken into space to monitor the impact of lack of atmosphere and space radiation on tree seeds, as part of a scheme by his former Forestry Service colleagues.

Seeds were chosen from five different types of trees -- loblolly pine, sycamore, sweetgum, redwood, and douglas fir.

Upon the astronauts' return, the seeds were planted around the world, and given away to many dignitaries including the emperor of Japan.

The trees are now marketed and sold by conservation group American Forest and can be bought by anyone around the world.

So far, the UK is thought to have about six.

Coun Mary Robinson, Primrose representative for Ribble Valley Council, said: "It sounds a nice idea, and it's pretty amazing that they have come from outer space."