A CORAL reef scientist has been awarded a prestigious prize that will support further research into the world's our oceans.

Professor Nick Graham, of Warton, has been selected to receive a Philip Leverhulme Prize which recognises the achievement of outstanding researchers whose work has already attracted international recognition and whose future career is exceptionally promising.

The prize, one of 30 given annually, has a value of £100,000 which may be used over a two or three year period, and is for the advancement of the recipient’s research goals.

Professor Graham, of the Lancaster Environment Centre, said: “I am thoroughly delighted to receive the Philip Leverhulme Prize for my work on coral reef ecology and management.

"It is wonderful to be recognised with such a prestigious award, and the funding associated with the prize will support my growing research group at Lancaster to continue researching this threatened ecosystem.”

Professor Philip Barker, Head of Lancaster Environment Centre, said: “We are delighted that Nick has received this award.

"He is an outstanding scientist who has demonstrated leadership through his research and has a strong sense of how science can make a difference to the wider understanding and conservation of tropical ecosystems."

In addition to receiving the prize, Professor Graham has been invited to attend a gala dinner in London in March 2018, along with other prize recipients, in order to receive a gift in recognition of his prize.