ONE of the region's universities has been named among the best in the world in a survey of leading scientists.

Durham University has been named second in the UK and 95th in the world in a league table published by the Times Higher Education Supplement, based on an opinion poll of world scientists.

The poll places Durham ahead of Cambridge and Oxford, and second only to King's College London in the UK.

The university's vice-chancellor, Sir Kenneth Calman, said: "This is a remarkable achievement and it further emphasises the strength of our science departments.

"At a time when other higher education institutions are closing chemistry and physics departments, we are in the fortunate position of being able to invest in our sciences. We are looking to attract international-class researchers."

He added: "We remain justifiably proud of our world-wide reputation for teaching and research, especially in our science departments."

For the fourth year running, Durham came out top in The Times' survey of physics and astronomy departments.

The university has also bucked the national trend by recording a marked increase in the number of students taking up sciences.

This year's intakes in chemistry and physics were full, while there was a significant increase in the number of biological sciences and engineering students.