THE UK Space Agency is looking for companies and groups to give house room - or rather, garden room, to space trees.

Pips from the apple tree in Sir Isaac Newton's garden in Lincolnshire were shot into space with Tim Peake as part of his mission to the International Space Station, where they spent six months in zero gravity.

Now they have grown into saplings, and need a new home.

the agency and the National Trust, also headquartered in Swindon have launched a competition with South Kesteven District Council and Kew gardens to find hosts for the trees.

Organisations can bid for one of the 8 remarkable saplings, explaining how they will give them space to grow, engage new audiences and promote curiosity.

Jeremy Curtis, Head of Education and Skills at the UK Space Agency, said: "We are thrilled that our friends at Kew have managed to nurture these precious young trees to the point where they can begin independent lives.

"Now we need to find good homes for them across the UK to help as many people as possible find out about the intertwined stories of Newton, gravity, physics, space travel and horticulture. Maybe one of the trees will one day inspire the next Newton."

Companies and organisations can bid for one of the eight space saplings at the National Trust's website nationaltrust.org.uk/woolsthorpe-manor/lists/newtons-space-saplings