To boldly go where no man has gone before' is no longer the privileged job of Captain Kirk and his crew - soon a Worcester venue will be crossing galaxies in a hunt to find life on other planets.

And the good news is that everyone will be back in time to catch last orders at the bar.

Huntingdon Hall is to host media personality and the UK's leading astronomer Patrick Moore as he brings his new lecture called First Contact to Worcester.

Complete with colour slides, the 78-year-old stargazer will be discussing recent discoveries of planets light years away, and what this could mean for the possibility of life being out there.

But is this a bit of fun for the man who has studied the planets since it became a hobby at the age of six, or does he really believe there is life out there?

"We now know other stars have other planets. There are thousands of millions of galaxies so there must be life out there," said the former RAF navigator.

"I'm sure there is life on other planets and that's what my latest lecture will look at. I'll discuss what those life-forms could be like and how, and when, contact could finally be made with them."

As he talked to me about life on other planets, the astronauts who fearlessly blasted off into space and set foot on the moon - men he called highly courageous with great ability, it was easy to be drawn into his fascination of the subject.

I actually saw Patrick Moore at The Courtyard in Hereford early last year and I have to say he is probably the most enthusiastic and affable lecturer I have ever seen.

So it's no real surprise to me that his show The Sky at Night, is now the world's

longest running television programme, celebrating its 46th anniversary in April.

And his illustrious career has earned Sir Patrick a knighthood and a BAFTA award for his services to television.

But, he says modestly, it has been a complete surprise to him.

"I didn't have the slightest idea it would run for so long," he said. "However it has been great fun."

Sir Patrick will be at Huntington Hall on Thursday, January 24, and tickets cost £10 or £9 with concessions. Contact the hall's box office on 01905 611427. On Sunday, March 10, he will return to the area to present his lecture The Great Universe at Tewkesbury's Roses Theatre.

Tickets, which cost the same, are available from the theatre's box office on 01684 295074.