Astronauts are about to touch down in Keighley.

A seven-strong crew that has just returned from a mission to the International Space Station is visiting the Bradford district next month.

And during the astronauts' two-day stay, Keighley secondary school students will have the chance to meet them at East Riddlesden Hall.

The crew will talk about its remarkable mission, which NASA described as "the nearest to perfect" ever achieved.

The visit has been organised by Bradford-based Space Connections and Bradford College, in conjunction with YES net - a network of space-activity providers within education across the region - and is supported by Yorkshire Forward.

The astronauts - who will visit on September 11 and 12 - are Commander Mark Kelly, pilot Ken Ham and mission specialists Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan, Mike Fossum, Akihiko Hoshide and Garrett Reisman.

Their shuttle mission, the 26th to the International Space Station, was the second of three flights taking components for the Kibo laboratory.

Helen Barraclough, managing director of Space Connections, said: "As well as being exciting, this visit will inspire young people's interest in space and make them think about science, technology, engineering and mathematics as possible careers. Having some real astronauts here will really help that.

"It's going to be a fantastic event for these school children - and for the city.

"The astronauts will be in Bradford for two days, and it's the only city in England they're visiting. The space shuttle retires in 2010, and this may well be the last crew visit to the UK."

Mike Bridge, assistant director of West Yorkshire for Yorkshire Forward, said: "To have these astronauts visiting Yorkshire is a huge honour and it will do a great deal to boost interest and enthusiasm among young people.

"Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are already of vital importance to the region's economy, and we need to make sure that young people continue to see these as stimulating and rewarding areas.

"The astronauts' experiences will inspire everyone - children and adults alike - to follow their ambition and work hard to achieve their full potential."