Competition to offer winner trip into space

Guinness has today launched a competition as part of its 250-year anniversary celebrations that would see one winner enjoy zero-gravity in space.

Guinness has today launched a competition as part of its 250-year anniversary celebrations that would see the winner enjoy zero-gravity in space.

The 'Guinness Experiences' competition includes a trip into space aboard Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic Spaceship, a journey to the depths of the sea in the world’s first Guinness deep sea bar and an exclusive gig in an intimate studio setting with The Black Eyed Peas.

The Guinness Space Experience will offer one person the opportunity to become one of the first early non-professional astronauts to venture into space with Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic, the world’s first commercial spaceline.

The winner and a friend will be given full training to ensure they are mentally and physically prepared for the momentous flight that will race them through the Earth’s atmosphere at almost 2500mph – three times the speed of sound.

Sitting 68 miles above the Earth’s surface, they will experience the feeling of weightlessness and will be the view of Earth from the blackness of space, stretching 1,000 miles in all directions, before returning safely to the spaceport to receive official astronaut wings.

The Guinness 250 celebrations mark 250 years since Arthur Guinness signed the 9,000 year lease on the St James's Gate brewery in Dublin.

The lucky winners will be announced later in the year.