Virgin Galactic’s first space tourism flight is set to take off this afternoon.

Among the three passengers about the VSS Unity is 80-year-old British former Olympian Jon Goodwin.

The flight is scheduled to take off at around 4pm BST (11am EST) from New Mexico, US, for the 90-minute trip. 

Mr Goodwin, from Newcastle under Lyme, secured his seat 18 years ago after buying a $250,000 (£194,500) ticket for the expedition.

He will be joined by mother and daughter duo Keisha Schahaff, 46, and Anastatia Mayers, 18, who won their places in a prize draw.

In June the VSS Unity completed its first commercial flight where passengers conducted scientific research experiments.

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