A TEENAGE chemist will soon be packing his lab coat and safety goggles for a flight to an international science festival in Japan.

Josh Stedman, 18, shone among a field of 2,500 applicants to gain a place in the British team at the 42nd International Chemistry Olympiad in Tokyo in July.

Josh, who attends Abingdon School and is from the town, will be one of four sixth formers who successfully negotiated two preliminary rounds to get into the UK squad.

The International Chemistry Olympiad exists to find the best young chemists in the world.

Josh is the third pupil in three years from Abingdon School to make the event final.

He said: “It was a very tough process. Round one involved a two-hour written paper from which the Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad selection committee selected 20 people to go through to Round Two, which was held over two days at Cambridge University. We had to do a three-hour practical exam followed by a three-hour theory paper.

“It was great to get through to the final.”

Josh will fly off to Japan with his teammates on July 19.

They will compete against teenagers from 70 other countries, including favourites China, Russia and Japan, during the 10-day competition.

He added: “Because I enjoy chemistry I get to travel, and visiting Japan will be really exciting.

“I hope to come back with a silver medal but just taking part will be a brilliant experience.”

Josh’s interest in the subject began when he was seven and he hopes to work in the field when he finishes his studies.

He said: “I would like to study Natural Sciences at Cambridge and then hopefully a PhD, but we will have to see. I have to get through my A-Levels first."