FORMER Whitchurch Primary School pupil and Tavistock College student Ben Houghton has gained a PhD at Bristol University.

Ben achieved a first degree in bio-chemistry, and his PhD was more focused on neuroscience.

He has just begun a three year research associate-ship with University College London working in the field of gene therapy. This science holds out the hope of cures for diseases where specific genes are part of the problem.

Ben is pleased with this outcome and expressed thanks to those who helped him on his way — principally the teachers at both schools, but also his violin teacher Liz Kilpatrick, Weir Quay Sailing Club and the friends he made at Tavistock College.