A 14-year-old Bere Alston boy is aiming for the stars with a small business he is running with his friend, Sir Patrick Moore.

Stephen Rundle, who goes to Tavistock College, has taken over the running of STAR Distribution, a business that was started by him, his older brother Simon and their father approximately three years ago, and dedicated to the distribution of official Patrick Moore items and memorabilia.

The Rundles became personal friends of Sir Patrick after the father, Jeremy, wrote to him six years ago.

'I said I had written to him when I was 12 and hadn't had a reply!' Jeremy said. 'To my surprise I had a phone call from him saying to come and visit.'

They called in to see Sir Patrick on a day trip to West Sussex as a result and have been firm friends ever since. 'We pop up there three or four times a year and sometimes stay over,' Jeremy said.

The three had the idea of starting the small company selling Sir Patrick's DVDs, books, music CDs, sketches, prints, interviews, plays and various other astronomical items, some signed, on behalf of the famous astronomer. They were helped by Sir Patrick and are the only official distributors of the items.

A website was set up at http://www.star-distribution.co.uk">www.star-distribution.co.uk and Jeremy said business had been good until about 18 months ago, since when it had been very slow because of the recession.

As Simon has moved on to other things, Stephen has taken over the running of the company in conjunction with 86-year-old Sir Patrick, with help from his father with such things as stalls at events as he is only 14 and also has learning difficulties.

Stephen, who is a member of Callington Community Astronomy Group along with his father, said Sir Patrick had given him his own telescope and his particular interest was the moon.

Stephen was recently at the UK Space Conference at Charter House with his stall and in June will be at the Norman Lockyer observatory in Sidmouth.