A WICK man has picked up an award for his work in promoting physics in schools.

Michael Talbot-Smith, of School Lane, received the Institute of Physics Chairs of Branches 2001 award for conceiving and implementing the Paper-Clip Physics competition, which has become a successful annual competition among school students.

Mr Talbot-Smith, chairman of the South Worcestershire branch of the Institute of Physics and a retired physics lecturer at Wood Norton, is the first recipient of the new award, which will be given each year to branch members who have made exceptional contributions in promoting physics.

He came up with the idea in 1994 as a response to the Institute of Physics, which wanted to launch a schools poster competition. Mr Talbot Smith, who has also written books on sound technology, said: "I didn't agree with this idea, because it did not involve using physics."

The Paper-Clip Physics competition, which was first held in 1995, involves small teams of 15- and 16-year-olds explaining physics to a non-scientist by using only items found in the home, and last year attracted 160 entries.

It is estimated that since the competition began, it has brought 2,500 schoolchildren into contact with the Institute of Physics.

He said: "I came up with this idea of having a competition for sixth-formers to demonstrate a principle of physics by using items found in the home. Originally it was just a regional competition, but it now attracts entries nationally.

"I was completely staggered to win this new award. It was a total surprise and it really is a tremendous honour to be selected as the first recipient of the award."