Children are normally more used to meeting Buzz Lightyear but it was former astronaut and veteran of the Apollo 11 moon landings Buzz Aldrin who splashed down to meet pupils from Woolenwick Infant & Nursery School in Stevenage.

The Comet: Buzz Aldrin spoke to 17 pupils who were chosen after a homework competitionBuzz Aldrin spoke to 17 pupils who were chosen after a homework competition (Image: Archant)

The 86-year-old who famously followed Neil Armstrong onto the surface of the moon on July 21, 1969, dropped by for a chat with wide-eyed Year 2 pupils about his amazing space adventures.

The former US Air Force officer was in Herts for a corporate event at a firm in Welwyn Garden City and was invited to speak to pupils by a parent.

Pupil Bailey Robinson said: “I thought meeting Buzz was very special. It was really exciting to meet a real astronaut.

“It was exciting to ask my question: ‘What was it like to step onto the moon?’

The Comet: Buzz Aldrin talked to pupils about his experience as the second man to walk on the moon in 1969Buzz Aldrin talked to pupils about his experience as the second man to walk on the moon in 1969 (Image: Archant)

Headteacher Usha Dhorajiwala described the visit as a “treasured learning experience”.

“It’s been a unique learning opportunity, creating memories for our children and adults which will last a lifetime,” she said.

Pupils entered their homework into a competition and 17 of them got the chance to meet Buzz.

When he left they gave him a special handmade card which he said he will keep in a special place in his office.