British scientist claims prestigious academic gong

LEADING British scientist and solar conversion expert Dr Mary Archer yesterday arrived in Ireland to accept a prestigious academic award.

Baroness Archer of Weston-super-Mare, and wife of colourful author and former politician Jeffery Archer, was at Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) to deliver the first of three lectures before accepting the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland Annual Award for Chemistry on Friday.

The award is presented to a distinguished chemist with an international reputation who can relate and communicate the importance of chemistry and chemical research to everyday life.