A student from St Albans was invited to meet Tim Peake along with the prime minister and other astronauts.

Year 10 student Jessica Leigh was invited to Downing Street on July 18, where Theresa May welcomed the astronaut home after his six-month mission to the International Space Station.

Jessica Leigh, 15, a pupil from Sandringham School, was the first child to speak to Mr Peake when he was in space.

But with the conversation lasting less than 10 minutes, the keen scientist was “delighted” to be given the chance to speak to him for more than an hour in person.

Head teacher Alan Gray said: “Jessica was delighted to have the opportunity to not only meet Tim Peake, but also the prime minister and other great astronauts like Helen Sharman and Samantha Cristoforetti.

“Jess was an outstanding ambassador at Downing Street – she was a great representative of the school and handled herself really well.

“When she gave a talk at the event, she was very professional and mature and explained herself brilliantly.

“She really enjoyed her day – not many children get the chance to go to Downing Street and meet people like that.”

Schoolchildren spent an hour with Mr Peake, asking him questions and hearing about his time in space.

He then also gave a speech on the importance of the environment and science.

Back in January, Sandringham School was privileged to be the first of 10 UK schools to make contact with Mr Peake and was assisted by ARISS and Verulam Amateur Radio Club, which trained and helped license several pupils to perform the link-up.

Jessica, who passed the radio exams, initiated the call to the 44-year-old and operated the radio to allow other pupils to ask Tim questions and hear his reply.

After the call, she said the contact had been “an amazing experience”.

During the event, the prime minister said: “I am very pleased to welcome Tim Peake home from his mission in space.

“Tim worked for up to 14 hours a day, participated in more than 250 experiments and even ran a marathon during his mission in space – all in dedication to British science.

“He has shown us that through hard work and determination anyone can go as far as their talents will take them.

"I hope Tim’s achievements will inspire students across the UK to become Britain’s astronauts, scientists, and engineers of the future.”