Astronomers from Preston's university will soon have use of the biggest telescope in the southern hemisphere, which university chiefs claim is located in the best place in the world for observing the universe.

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has bought a four-week time share in the Southern African Large Telescope (Salt) in Sutherland, North Cape, South Africa, which becomes operational in November.

As well as using it for research, the university's Centre for Astrophysics is planning to run astronomy holidays to the telescope for members of the public.

Dr Stewart Eyres, senior lecturer in astronomy, said: "What it will allow this university to do is work at the forefront of science alongside the best in the world like Harvard, which already have these facilities.

"Arguably it is the best place in the world for a telescope because it is so dry and water vapour is the biggest problem when making observations."

The hexagonal 11 metre telescope with 91 mirror segments, will be able to record distant stars, galaxies, and quasars a billion times too faint to be seen with the unaided eye.

UCLan, which contributed £350,000 to the £16million project, is leading a consortium of five UK universities, and currently has Phd student, Hannah Worters, helping with the commissioning of the telescope and its systems.

Astronomers from the university are expected to travel each year to South Africa to make use of the telescope to carry out work such as seeing how distant galaxies have changed over time.

"Hopefully we will be able to attract more students, we are also hoping to run astronomy holidays for members of the public to travel to South Africa with us," added Dr Eyres.

The Centre for Astrophysics has about 25 members of staff, 10 post-graduate students, and 350 students, most of which are on distant learning courses.