A DETERMINED son has taken inspiration from his father's late onset of diabetes and triumphed over Oxford scholars to win a top research award.

Former Harry Cheshire High School pupil James Brown said dad Robert's debilitating type two diabetes helped spur him to victory with his paper on the condition.

The 30-year-old saw off research fellows from Oxford University and King's College London to scoop the Eli Lilley Award for Basic Science at the Diabetes UK Annual Professional Conference in Glasgow.

He said: "His condition has made me want to focus my research and it has definitely driven me in the direction I have gone in.

"I am more than happy to carry on doing diabetes research because there is a personal side to it as well as a professional element."

His 74-year-old father needs regular injections to deal with his condition, which contributed to the death of his brother last year.

The retired carer also lost an uncle to diabetes and his sister has required regular injections for the last two decades.

Proud father, Robert, of Renfrew Gardens, Kidderminster, said: "I am very proud of him, he is very clever. I think what he has done is fantastic, he is really dedicated."

His son, a research fellow at Wolverhampton University, gave a presentation at last month's conference on how type two diabetes can stem from the pancreas and was awarded £1,000 for his work.

He said: "It has certainly more than contributed to the scientific knowledge in the area. I was in competition with Oxford University, King's College in London and Birmingham University so to come out on top was very satisfying."

Diabetes had been recognised by the Government as an epidemic, he said, and while research was vital, the key to beating the condition was a healthy lifestyle.

James, who is studying for a PhD, added: "Diabetes causes so many problems like heart attacks and strokes. If you look at the actual figures in this country, there are 1.5 million people diagnosed with diabetes and 1.5 million who have it but don't know."

His father said: "Research like this is very important and I think James has done an excellent job."

For more information about diabetes, visit the website at www.diabetes.org.uk