Disabled student inspired by astronaut Tim Peake

The UK astronaut said he could not think of "any reason why you would need a wheelchair" and that "your legs just kind of get in the way" in space

A disabled student has been told by British astronaut Tim Peake that zero gravity can be "very liberating".

David Wildman, from Rowdeford School in Wiltshire, had asked Major Peake - in a BBC Wiltshire live link-up - whether he would need a wheelchair in space

The UK astronaut said he could not think of "any reason why you would need a wheelchair" and that "actually your legs just kind of get in the way".

"Major Tim" is due to go to the International Space Station this year.

Five students from across the county were given the chance to put their questions to the European Space Agency astronaut, as part of a live link-up organised by the Swindon-based UK Space Agency and the BBC.

David Wildman, right, also asked "Major Tim" if there had ever been a disabled person in space

David Wildman, from Devizes, who asked his question via his iPad, also wanted to know if there had ever been a disabled person in space.

Maj Peake said he did not know of any but said physicist Stephen Hawking had found his zero-gravity flight "incredibly liberating".

'No wheelchairs'

"Being in zero gravity and floating and weightlessness is a very liberating experience for everybody," he said.

"I've also heard from astronauts on the space station that actually your legs just kind of get in the way and they can always tell a rookie because they come onboard and start knocking things around because they don't know what to do with them.

"You have to get used to how to control your body in weightlessness - but certainly no need for a wheelchair as far as I can tell."

The former army helicopter pilot is currently gearing up to spend six months on the International Space Station at the end of the year, carrying out scientific experiments.