Bakewell tart 'lost in space' as school loses track of pudding sent into stratosphere

Pupils at a primary school in Derbyshire have lost their Bakewell tart in space after launching it into the stratosphere.

Children at St Anselm’s Preparatory School in Derbyshire sent the dessert up into the sky using a high altitude balloon on Monday at 7am.

The pupils attached tracking devices to the local delicacy, which record its position and temperature as well as taking photographs, but it has become untraceable, and lost on the edge of space.

The school has said a search is ongoing, but meanwhile the tart has gained celebrity attention.

Stephen Fry tweeted: "My country, my country..."

After a strong start, during which the pudding reached an altitude of 16,000m (52,500ft) and was known to be over Saxilby near Lincoln, it became lost in space.

The school said it had been hoping the Bakewell tart would reach heights of about 114,000ft (35,000m).

Liz Scott, director of studies, told the BBC: "Last year, we launched a high-altitude balloon in preparation for this experiment and it was found by a couple on a beach near Skegness, who used the contact details on the balloon to let us know where it ended up.

"We're hoping the same thing will happen again and we'll find out where the pudding ends up."

The school has raised £1,600 for the Guide Dogs for the Blind charity as part of the experiment by asking local firms to sponsor them.