TWO former North-East pupils have received prestigious Institute of Physics awards for 2008 and were back at their old school to celebrate.

Professor Edward Hinds, who once attended Dame Allan's Boy's School, in Newcastle, was awarded the Thomson Medal for distinguished research in atomic or molecular physics.

The citation recognised his "important and elegant experimental investigations in the fields of atomic physics and quantum optics".

Fellow former pupil Professor Russell Cowburn received the Paterson Medal for distinguished research in applied physics.

The medal was awarded for "outstanding contributions to nano-magnetism and nano-photonics, and his internationally recognised success in commercially exploiting his research through spin-out companies".

Both men are again at the same academic institution, Imperial College London, where Edward Hinds is Professor of Physics and Russell Cowburn is Professor of Nanotechnology in the Physics Department.

They returned to Dame Allan's Schools to attend the Science Dinner, celebrating science teaching schools.

They were joined by another IOP Medal winner, Professor Ruth Gregory, from the University of Durham, who was awarded the 2006 Maxwell Medal for her "outstanding work" trying to understand the underlying structure of the universe. Professor Gregory was appointed one of the first women professors in Durham University's Maths and Physics departments in 2006.

Dr John Hind, Principal of Dame Allan's Schools, congratulated the trio and paid tribute to the dedication of the teaching staff over the years, whose commitment, enthusiasm and careful nurturing of pupils' interest in the subject had led to generations of "Old Allanians" enjoying successful and fulfilling careers in science.