Following Yury Gagarin’s vapour trails to the stars might be beyond most of us – but stepping in his footsteps has been de rigueur amid celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of his pioneering space flight.

Following Yury Gagarin’s vapour trails to the stars might be beyond most of us – but stepping in his footsteps has been de rigueur amid celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of his pioneering space flight.