An Oxford University student has won a prestigious science award through his research into animal flight.

Graham Taylor, a research student, scooped the L'Oreal-Royal Institution Science Graduate of the Year, at a ceremony at the Royal Institution, London.

Mr Taylor received a cheque for £6,000 and life-membership to the Royal Institution for his ground-breaking research work.

He said: "This award will be a great boost to my research. I intend to use the money to fund a project on canopy insects that I'm planning in Venezuela next year.

"I'm also very excited at having an opportunity to speak at the Royal Institution - it's a tremendous privilege."

The award was established in 2000 to recognise innovative and pioneering research by young scientists.

Mr Taylor is the first scientist to have developed a reliable technique to measure all of the forces produced by an insect when flying.

Until now, no scientist has been able to explain in detail how flapping insects manage to maintain stability inthe air. His findings have the potential to revolutionise aeronautical engineering.

Mr Taylor also acted as a consultant on the BBC's award-winning series Walking With Dinosaurs.

Director of the Royal Institution, and one of the award judges, Baroness Greenfield, said: "I am delighted once again, to see such enthusiasm, commitment and bold thinking."