HUNDREDS of people got to see science first hand and step inside the tunnels of a giant X-ray machine at a major UK research centre.

About 500 people visited the national Diamond Light Source Synchrotron at Chilton, near Didcot, on Saturday at one of only four open days it hosts each year.

They were treated to science demonstrations and talks.

Seven-year-old Gabriel Duckett from Sutton Courtenay, had a hair-raising experience when he made static electricity. He said: β€œIt was good. I was very inspired.”

The next open day is on Saturday, November 9