Ambitious plans to build a spaceport off the coast of Norfolk have taken a giant leap after the project received funding from the county council. 

Gravitilab, the firm behind the proposals, has been awarded a grant of £40,000 to help develop a suborbital rocket - known as ISAAC - to launch from the site.

Denise Wroe, from Gravitilab, said that the firm was "delighted" to receive the grant as it "supports the next vital programme of engine testing for our ISAAC launch vehicle".

The Coltishall-based firm is also in the running to gain funding from the UK Space Agency to carry out a feasibility study to establish the North Sea launch pad. 

If it goes ahead the spaceport, which will be built 10km off the Norfolk coast, will provide a base to send rockets into space. 

Gravitilab has already passed one requirement with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to gain licensing for airspace. 

"Gravitilab continues working with New Anglia LEP on identifying potential sources of funding and will continue to work together to grow the regional space cluster," added Ms Wroe.

The company creates and develops rockets at its base at Scottow Enterprise Park near RAF Coltishall. 

Its innovative technology provides microgravity testing for firms that are looking to send objects, such as satellites, into orbit. 

Gravitilab has already sent its rockets into space from a launch pad off the coast of Scotland but wants to build one locally to help make it easier and more efficient to carry out testing. 

It also believes that having a local spaceport will help to encourage more firms within the space industry to the region. 

Along with its Norfolk project, the company is supporting and working with Spaceport Cornwall, which has commissioned it to deliver a microgravity demonstration of its LOUIS drone and drop pod. 

Although this launch was initially due to take place this month, it has been pushed back to early next year.