Science Minister Lord Sainsbury visited the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, near Didcot, as part of a fact-finding tour.

He told staff: "It is a tribute to all of you that the science is of such high quality."

Following the first stage of a review recommending changes in the way CLRC is funded, he hoped the new-look organisation would continue to build on the considerable success of its past.

After his address, staff quizzed him about the future of the organisation, the CLRC's role in supporting UK science, and the importance of innovation and technology transfer to industry.

Lord Sainsbury praised the world-leading research carried out at RAL and said there were huge opportunities ahead for the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils, which runs Daresbury Laboratory, Cheshire, and Chilbolton Observatory, Hampshire, as well as RAL.

He was shown round the largest space science department in Europe, and received an unusual image of the sun from Dr Sarah Dunkin.

He presented Ms Rosie Sherry, head of learning and development at RAL, with an Investors in People plaque.