Schoolchildren sent Lego astronauts high into the earth's atmosphere - and recorded photographs from the edge of space.

Pupils from Jenny Hammond Primary School in Leytonstone got up early to launch a helium-filled balloon into the sky at 5am last Thursday.

The school had to get permission from the Civil Aviation Authority to launch the weather balloon, which flew south across London as it rose into the sky before bursting at 32,000m.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Air Traffic Control gave the go-ahead for the launch at 3.30am.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

And at 4.30am the school opened for the special launch event.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Pupils and staff watched as the balloon was filled with helium.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

... and launched at 5am.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Footage from the balloon's ascent showed London from the air, including landmarks such as the O2.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

A view from higher up and looking west showed the Shard and the London Eye.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Can you identify any landmarks in this breathtaking image showing the edge of space?

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

This photo shows the south coast and the Isle of Wight.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

While this photo looking east shows the Thames Estuary, the Isle of Sheppey and the Essex and Kent coastlines, with France, Belgium and the Netherlands in the distance.

The balloon burst at 32,000m and the base unit fell to earth above Kent.

A 'chase car' containing staff and pupils followed it using a GPS tracker to Edenbridge, near Tunbridge Wells.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

The unit was located, 15m up a tree.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

A trip to B&Q for a long pole and a hook followed, and the camera unit was finally brought to earth, with its LEGO men still attached, at 2pm.

The project was worked on by 10 and eleven-year-olds from Year 6, with contributions from the whole school.

Year 6 teacher Peter Rutherford said: “We wanted to do something unusual and challenging, to take the pupils out of their comfort zone.

"The experience inspired us all, both pupils and staff. We will definitely repeat the flight at some point.”

Head teacher Deborah Gibbon said: “I would like to say what a positive experience it was for the parents, children and our community.

"A big thank you has to go to Peter of course, for planning and putting the whole project together. The skill and expertise needed to do this is incredible, and his dedication to bring it together for the children was brilliant. It was a fantastic experience that we didn’t think we would be able to do.”