You could hear a pin drop in Wellesley House as pupils from 12 schools across east Kent watched British astronaut Tim Peake launch in to space.

They learned to count down in Russian from 10 to zero and as the clock ticked down, edging ever closer to blast-off, excitement began to build.

The students counted down with the on-screen clock, but when the fractional delay between countdown and actual lift off came there was silence and the children watched on in wonder.

Wellesley House School pupil Jack Nielson, 13, said: "It was quite exciting but also a little bit nerve wracking, I cant explain how incredible it must feel to be in a rocket ship, to be one of six people ever and the first Briton to go to the International Space Station must be just incredible."

The school was hosting the launch because it made the final shortlist for a chat with Major Tim during his time aboard the space station.

Wellesley House science teacher Kerry Sabin-Dawson masterminded the application with the help of Hilderstone Radio Club and Monkton Stargazers.

She said: "We need to cross our fingers because nothing is guaranteed in space, and we need to think of more original questions than How do you go to the toilet on the International Space Station?

"It's a very exciting prospect, I feel like I've been teaching so much about him and I know so much about him, so to be able to talk to him would be amazing. If we get to contact him our children will be literally looking up to Tim and it would be like the icing on the cake for him to be able to speak to them."

It is the first time a British astronaut will be on the International Space Station in an official capacity.

All of the school pupils there today will be able to ask him questions directly about his life and work on board the space station if they manage to make contact.

The school is just one of 10 across the country to have the chance of linking up for a 10-minute conversation with Tim on amateur radio during his time in orbit.

Headteacher at Wellesley House Simon O'Malley said: "It was amazing. I think it could certainly inspire the next generation of astro-engineers, scientists and astronauts because this was such an immense moment and they have been a part of it."

St Mildred's Primary school pupil Grace Cooper, six, said: "It was so exciting. At some points I was a bit nervous at what was going to happen with the launch, in case it blew up."

Schoolmate Max Spurgin, seven, said: "If I could ask him a question it would be; what does he eat while in space?".