A local MP will be using his recent trip to Jodrell Bank as he aims to put the UK on the intergalactic map.

David Morris, the MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale was appointed as the first ever UK Government Space Adviser in 2022, effectively becoming trade envoy to the national space industry.

He was hosted by the University of Manchester last week at the Jodrell Bank Observatory to further highlight his interest in the topic.

Mr Morris said: "In my role as UK Government Space Adviser, I take a keen interest in the ongoing work at Jodrell Bank which I have been visiting since I was a child and last visited in 2022.

“The commitment of The University of Manchester to astronomy and space research is well known."

The Westmorland Gazette: The MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale is hopeful that he combine his regional work with looking to the starsThe MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale is hopeful that he combine his regional work with looking to the stars (Image: David Morris)

He was met by Professor Keith Grainge and Professor Simon Garrington, Associate Directors of Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics at The University of Manchester, for a tour beginning at the iconic Lovell Telescope.

Mr Morris explained: “The recommendations from its academics on areas such as international collaboration, space psychology and sustainable resources – as set out in Policy@Manchester’s publication On Space – remain at the heart of policy discussions in Whitehall and Westminster.

“I welcome the opportunity to tap into the latest thinking from the experts I met and look forward to returning to Jodrell Bank very soon."

He moved on to the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) where he was given a demonstration of low frequency antennas by Dr Simon Berry.

The SKAO is the world’s newest intergovernmental organisation created with the objective of constructing and operating radio telescopes in Australia and South Africa.

The Westmorland Gazette: The iconic Lovell Telescope has stood over the Cheshire plain since 1957The iconic Lovell Telescope has stood over the Cheshire plain since 1957 (Image: David Morris)

The final stop on the visit was the First Light Pavilion under the guidance of Professor Teresa Anderson MBE, Director of the Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement.

Professor Keith Grainge said: "It was terrific to welcome David - he is fully engaged in what we do, and it was useful to exchange views and perspectives with him on our current and future activities.”