SPACE-SMITTEN pupils were joined by a record-breaking former NASA astronaut to wish Tim Peake good luck in his marathon.

Boys at Abingdon School were yesterday visited by Michael Foale, who held up a hand-made banner wishing his fellow spaceman well.

The 59-year-old, who completed six Space Shuttle missions and was the first UK-born citizen to perform a space walk, later answered questions from a public audience who paid to see him talk at the school.

Conrad Smith, who goes to the boys' school in Abingdon, said Mr Foale was "inspirational".

The 13-year-old, who lives in Oxford, said: "He showed how you can be a normal person and if you work hard enough you can do anything, even get to space."

Milton under Wychwood resident Ben Shaw, also 13, said: "It was really interesting to hear how simple things like eating can be a problem in space and how you solve them."

Mr Foale held a workshop with sixth formers from different schools about going into a career in space, and talked to younger pupils about his exploration of the universe.

Jake Ginks, 12, added: "I thought it was really cool to hear about what it is like in space."

Meanwhile, in the International Space Station, British astronaut Tim Peake is preparing for the London Marathon tomorrow.

He has challenged himself to run the 26.2-mile course on a treadmill inside the floating structure.