Update: As you may have noticed, this story was an April Fool's prank.

AN INDOOR skydiving centre in Basingstoke has revealed ambitious plans to build a wind tunnel to space.

Staff at Airkix have been working on plans to launch a tunnel which will take people more than 100,000 miles into outer-space.

And the centre at Basingstoke Leisure Park has been chosen as the location for the tunnel to be built.

The company, which recently built the first wind tunnel on board a cruise ship, said creating a tunnel to space will be its next major project, called Reach for the Stars.

Simon Ward, CEO of Airkix Indoor Skydiving, said: “The sky really is the limit for Airkix and we’re very excited about this project. People have always thought that a rocket is the only way to reach space, but now Airkix can provide an alternative.

“It means the average person will be able to travel to space in the very near future. Those brave enough to try it out will get an amazing, close-up view of the moon.”

A local celebrity is rumoured to be the first to try out the new wind tunnel, which is expected to open a year today, on April 1, 2016.

The television star, who appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, said: “I’ve often wondered what it would be like to travel to space so I jumped at the opportunity to be the first to try this out.

“I’ve been told that I’ll be acting as a bit of a guinea pig to test it, which is a bit of a daunting prospect. But it certainly can’t be any scarier than spending four weeks in the Big Brother house.”

Airkix hopes to submit a planning application to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for approval for the construction later this month.

However, some residents living near the Leisure Park have expressed concern over the plans.

Joanne Kingsley, from South Ham, said: “My house faces the Leisure Park and a tunnel which is 100,000 miles long will completely block the light into my kitchen. It’s a great idea, but not in my back yard.”

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