A SCIENTIST from Bere Alston has taken her research to the Houses of Parliament.

Becky Leithall, aged 25, an energy portfolio manager at the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, attended Parliament on Monday to present her science to a range of politicians and a panel of expert judges, as part of SET for Britain.

Becky's poster on research into the design of new chemical reaction systems to facilitate sustainable energy solutions was judged against other scientists' research in the only national competition of its kind.

Although she did not win in the chemistry section this week, she was praised by judges for making the shortlist from hundreds of science applicants.

She said: 'SET for Britain is a fantastic opportunity for young research scientists to showcase their work to the wider audience. Underpinning science and technology can have a huge influence on policy and economic growth and the wealth of fascinating research coming to SET for Britain will highlight this. I am very proud to be representing Torridge and West Devon at this event.'

Andrew Miller MP, chairman of the parliamentary and scientific committee, said: 'These early career scientists are the architects of our future and SET for Britain is politicians' best opportunity to meet them and understand their work.'

The parliamentary and scientific committee run the event in collaboration with the Institute of Physics, The Physiological Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Society of Biology and the Society of Chemical Industry.