Water fleas to be sent to space from Birmingham

Water fleas from a Birmingham pond are to be sent to space as part of an experiment.

The fleas have been taken from a pond in Edgbaston and are being prepared for a launch in June next year.

Scientists at the University of Birmingham said the one-way trip to the International Space Station would provide information about how species reproduce in space.

The idea came from children at Aberdare High School in Wales as part of a competition to design experiments for the space station.

Chris Barber, founder of the International Space School Educational Trust, said: "We will find out whether this species, with its complex genetics, will adapt in space, how it reproduces.

"Can it be a future food source?"