IT may be a small step in the space race, but it's a giant leap for pupils at a Ribble Valley primary school.

A tea towel designed and produced by youngsters at Salesbury CE Primary School will be the first in space thanks to American exchange teacher Marilyn Brothers.

The 47-year-old, of El Dorado, Kansas, has been teaching at the school since last August as part of a trans-Atlantic exchange programme organised by the Fulbright Educational Foundation.

She swapped places with Salesbury teacher Helen Campbell, who has stepped into the breach at Benton Grade School, Benton, Kansas.

Marilyn is friends with NASA astronaut David Brown, who she met in the US while participating in a space programme for teachers.

"I met astronaut David Brown and we kept in touch. He contacted me in England to ask if I wanted to send something from Salesbury school on the next orbital shuttle flight, which he is leading.

"We agreed on a school tea towel, featuring pictures of pupils."

The tea towel was duly despatched to the US, where it is safely in the astronaut's hands, awaiting the launch of flight Columbia STS 107 from Cape Canaveral which is expected by the end of the month.

Marilyn continued: "David said the astronauts will take the tea towel into space and return it autographed.

"The children are really excited and I believe it will be the first tea towel in space!"

Pupils also took part in a watermelon seed spitting competition as part of Independence Day celebrations at Salesbury CE School.

They learned the history of July 4, dressed up in red, white and blue - the colours of the US flag - and took part in an American picnic.

Marilyn added: "The children drank lemonade and ate watermelon, then took part in a watermelon seed spitting contest, which they thoroughly enjoyed.

"Independence Day is a huge event in the States, with parades and family picnics. This year is particularly poignant, because of September 11, and it brought a lump to my throat.

"The time is getting close for me to leave East Lancashire and I will be very sad to go, although it's usually 100 degrees back home at this time of year, so it's the first July 4 that I've had to wear a jumper!"