THE Duke of Kent visited Oxford Science Park yesterday to learn about its work.

He was treated to a talk on work surrounding proteins it is hoped will be used to develop new crop strains with improved disease resistance.

This was followed by a tour of Sharp Laboratories Europe where Dr Ian Thompson and colleagues demonstrated some of the 3D and liquid crystal display technologies developed in its Oxford laboratories.

Prof Thomas Sorensen, one of Diamond’s principal scientists, said: “It was a real honour to be able to show His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent around our facilities and talk to him about the life science work that makes up 50 per cent of the experiments that take place at Diamond. The Duke was very complimentary about the facilities.”

Science Park spokesman Charles Young said: “We are delighted that the Duke of Kent chose to visit the Oxford Science Park. ”