YOUNG scientist Thomas Hearing has been scaling the heights after winning a national competition.

The teenager won the prestigious UK Young Scientist title in the National Science and Engineering Competition in Manchester earlier this year.

Part of his prize was a trip to Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory in La Palma provided by Research Councils UK.

Former Thomas Hardye pupil Tom, aged 18, of Tincleton, said: “The trip was amazing and the observatory unlike anything else I have seen.

“The telescopes were very impressive and all the scientists and assistants were really helpful.

“I want to thank RCUK as it was one of the most impressive experiences I have ever had.”

Thomas visited the observatory with UK Engineer Shawn Brown, of Ceredigion in Wales.

They competed against budding scientists and engineers at the National Science and Engineering Competition in March at the Big Bang Fair.

Some 346 competitors – with 190 projects – exhibited at the three-day Big Bang Fair for the Young Scientist of the Year and Young Engineer of the Year titles.

Sixth former Thomas exhibited his work on coastal erosion at Monmouth beach near Lyme Regis.

He was then chosen as one of the final five to give a Dragons’ Den style presentation to judges before being named as the winner.

Tom was handed his UK Young Scientist award by the then business secretary Peter Mandelson at the Big Bang Fair in the Manchester Central Convention Complex.

Coalition government Universities and Science Minister David Willetts said after the La Palma visit: “Congratulations to Tom and Shawn on winning the National Science and Engineering Competition. These two students are inspirational and we need more people like this to rise to the challenges of the future. This is a great example of exciting places science and engineering can take you.”

Thomas hopes to read maths and earth sciences at Oxford University.