Mum and daughter in rocket to space

Pair among first passengers to blast off on Virgin Galáctic

- STEPHEN WHITE

ONE small step for Mum, one giant leap for mum-kind...

Keisha Schahaff is about to become the first mother to blast off into space alongside her daughter.

She and student Anastatia Mayers, 18, will also become the first people from the Caribbean to make the incredible journey as they join Virgin Galactic's second commercial flight.

Keisha, 46, won their trip after entering a competition during a Virgin Atlantic flight from Antigua to London to sort out a visa for Aberdeen University student Anastatia.

They will set off on their big adventure from New Mexico, US, on Thursday.

Keisha said: "I filled out this sweepstake and then suddenly months later I'm getting correspondences saying that you're a top 20 finalist, then a top five finalist, to becoming a winner.

"Suddenly, who's walking into my yard? Richard Branson.