WESTERDALE MOOR, England UK — A rocket built by a group of amateur space enthusiasts has disintegrated on its launch pad during an abortive take-off.

But the two men behind the White Rose project, which blew up on the North York Moors on Thursday morning, say they will try again.

The BBC's Sue Cain: "The hopes were so high"

Eyewitnesses at the launchpad at Westerdale Moor said it failed to get off the ground at all, with the top half shooting off and flames pouring out of the base.

Alan Bullock and Jago Packer had hoped their craft would reach a height of 20,000 feet, beating the existing British altitude record by 6,000ft.

Smoke pours from the rocket as it disintegrates on its launch pad

The 9ft rocket, which is powered by a unique fuel the pair developed themselves, was supposed to be capable of speeds in excess of 450mph.

Mr Packer said: "I am extremely upset. But we have just had a meeting and we are definitely going to be rebuilding a rocket very soon."

He continued: "The join failed under pressure and when the motor was ignited, the tubing split. The flame, which should have come out of the bottom, came out through the crack and the top of the rocket blew off.

"We have learned a big lesson. Now we are ready to crack on with the next one."

Eyes on the prize

They are the latest people to attempt trials working towards capturing the $10m (£6.4m) X-Prize for the first private rocket to take people into space.

The BBC's Richard Wells: "It never left the launch pad"

Steve Bennett, from Manchester, last month unveiled a model of the craft he plans to pilot into space.

He has conducted slightly more successful experiments from moorland near Liverpool.

Mr Packer, a pharmaceutical representative from York and former pyrotechnics company boss, said: "There is also the kudos of being the first amateur group to build a rocket that gets into space.

"Our long-term aim is to put a man up there. That's what we all want to attain."

"It is a big race, but it is all fun in the end," he said.

Copright © 1999 , BBC News.