Tim Peake becomes first 'official' British astronaut (+LIVE VIDEO)

Tim Peake has become the first “official” British astronaut after he took off from earth to the International Space Station on Tuesday.

The Soyuz rocket took off from Baikonur, Kazakhstan at 1103 GMT.

Previous British astronauts have had US citizenship and worked for NASA, or have been on privately funded missions.

Peake is travelling with NASA astronaut Tim Kopra and Russian commander Yuri Malenchenko.

While aboard the space station, he will conduct experiments and carry out educational activities designed to get young people interested in science.

Watch the European Space Agency's live stream below