VISITORS streamed into the Harwell Campus near Didcot to take advantage of its first open day in more than 10 years.

The site, which includes the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, opened its doors to allow people to find out more about the cutting-edge research and development which goes on there.

In the first half an hour, 1,000 people arrived in the site and organisers said 15,000 people visited over the course of Saturday.

Among those attending were eight-year-old Ben Webster, his mum Maddy and dad John, who works at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.

Self-proclaimed science nerd Ben, from Denchworth near Wantage, said: “I enjoyed myself.

“My favourite part was dressing up in science clothes such as a white coat and goggles.

“We looked at what makes a virus and how we can see that cows have viruses.”

Visitors were able to view the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) central laser facility which contains the Vulcan laser.

The beam from the Vulcan is the equivalent strength of taking all the light the Sun is shining on the Earth at any one time and focusing it onto a pin head.

Organisers said the most popular part of the campus was the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, which is a world-leading centre for research and develops things such as new medicines and aircraft materials.