A Rutherford Appleton Laboratory scientist has won a top engineering award for his work in space science.

Peter Hiscock, 28, left, who works at the lab near Didcot, won a John Woodgate Innovation Award and £500 for pioneering ways of making equipment for space flight detectors.

He specialises in techniques to manufacture miniature components.

He is pictured demonstrating his invention to Sally Woodgate, widow of John Woodgate, and Prof John Wood, chief executive of the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils.

Mr Woodgate was a RAL scientist who contributed to the success of the Oxford Instruments company.

He became managing director of Oxford Magnet Technology, a joint venture between Oxford Instruments and Siemens AG, and a world leader in the manufacture of superconducting magnets.