A university student who has heard stories from his grandfather of astronauts he used to know is hoping to be able to tell his own memorable tale by blasting into space.

Marshall Postle-Floyd, of Beccles Road, in Loddon, is hoping to fulfil his lifelong dream of going into space by entering a unique competition.

The 19-year-old, who is currently studying at Durham University, has signed up for the Lynx Space Academy, and needs public support to guide him into the next stage and potentially enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime journey.

If, by the end of April, he is in the top 200 wannabe astronauts in the country he will be invited to London for rigorous mental and physical testing.

More tests will whittle the numbers down to four lucky contestants who will go on to Florida to compete against others from across the world.

At a global camp they will hope to win a place on board a shuttle run by space tourism company Space Expedition Corporation.

There will be just 22 places available on the shutttle, which will travel 103km to the outer layers of the earth's atmosphere.

Mr Postle-Floyd said: 'I have always had a strong interest in being an astronaut and my dad found out about the competition.

'This is an opportunity to go to space and I've got nothing to lose by trying to go in for it.'

Mr Postle-Floyd, who studied at Hobart High, in Loddon, and East Norfolk Sixth Form, in Gorleston, is studying maths with a module on astronomy at university, but his interest in space travel was brought on by his grandfather's stories.

His grandfather Robert Postle, who lives in Kansas, USA, used to work in the aerospace industry and had friends who were astronauts.

'He knows astronauts and tells me stories about it so that propelled my interest,' he said.

Mr Postle-Floyd has dual US and UK citizenship which he hopes will give him an added chance of working with NASA, but for now he is concentrating on the chance of an amazing space journey.

He is currently 164th on 533 votes. Others competing to make the top 200 in Norfolk include Chris Blandford and Jimmy Day.

Mr Blandford, 20, who lives in the Colman Road area of Norwich, is studying for a masters degree in natural science at the University of East Anglia

Mr Day, 30, is a PE teacher at Acle Academy.

To vote for Marshall in the competition visit www.lynxapollo.com/en_GB/72749/marshall-postle-floyd

You can also vote for Mr Blandford and Mr Day through that website.