Lossiemouth spaceport plan backed by SNP

Virgin Galactic has already identified RAF Lossiemouth in Moray as a potential launch site, and Angus Robertson, the local MP and the SNP's Westminster leader, is backing the idea.

He wants to meet Lord Drayson, the UK's science and innovation minister, to push the case for Lossiemouth, and he says he is working to bring together the local community, government and enterprise agencies behind the proposals.

He said: "The prospect of space flight from Scotland is a serious and exciting one."

Earlier this month, Will Whitehorn, Virgin Galactic's president, said wealthy space tourists could be blasting off from Lossiemouth within five years, but that Machrihanish in Argyll and an air base in south-west England were also suitable.

Mr Robertson said: "Other countries are keen to be at the front of the queue and I would like to see Moray remain front-runner.

"It would be a mistake to underestimate the tremendous potential of these flights, which will probably also launch satellites into orbit as well as offering tourist flights into near-Earth orbit."

It has been estimated that flights would probably cost about 25,000, including a half-day trip into the stratosphere.