The Isle of Man is to be the base for the world’s first space flight lottery.

Space Miles Ltd is to relocate to the Island from the USA to launch a draw offering Sub-Orbital Space Flights as its top prize.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer Phil Clarkson says the company is in the final stages of legal compliance and hopes to launch its lottery soon.

The firm will launch what it calls ‘the Space Shuffle’ with a ticket price of $25.00 and a first prize of the space trip with a value of $250,000.

There are also plans to offer other games with slightly different prizes including zero gravity flights and near-space flights.

At present, Space Miles website, thespaceshuffle.com is under development but should launch in three to four months time.

There is a downside – with the current American attitude to what it sees as internet gambling, Space Miles won’t be able to allow US players to take part.

But Mr Clarkson says he hopes to more than compensate for that by marketing heavily to Asian markets.