7,000 ready to fly into space with Branson

MORE than £800 million has been pledged to Sir Richard Branson’s extra-terrestrial adventure, years before the spaceship has even been built, the entrepreneur said yesterday.

The 54-year-old is investing 74 million into his plan to fly the paying public 70 miles above the Earth.

For 115,000 each, passengers on Virgin Galactic will experience weightlessness and see the curvature of the Earth.

More than 7,000 people have said they are willing to pay the fare - generating 805 million well before the craft has been built.

Celebrities and business leaders have put their names forward, including the former Star Trek actor William Shatner and Dave Navarro, the guitarist from the US band the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Sir Richard said: "We are extremely pleased, because it just means in a sense that the gamble we took seems to have paid off.

"If we can make it a success, then I hope we can lower the price so that more people can realise their dream and go into space."