Mr Liddell, who teaches at Beauchamps High School, Wickford, Essex, was selected from 13 regional winners. He received his award from TV presenter Fearne Cotton when she made a surprise visit to his school.

Mr Liddell - described by a colleague as someone who can ignite children’s desire to learn - was also honoured at the national Teaching Awards ceremony hosted by Eamonn Holmes at the London Palladium last night, when he received a prize package of cash and equipment worth more than £25,000 for his school.

The prize was presented by Professor Sir Brian Follett, chair of the Teacher Training Agency which sponsored the Award for Science Teaching as part of its drive to recruit more science teachers.

Sir Brian, himself a scientist, said:

“Alan Liddell is an inspiration to his pupils and colleagues. In congratulating, him I also thank all science teachers for the work they are doing to excite young people and give them an understanding of what science is, and what it can offer humankind.”

The Teacher Training Agency aims to recruit 2,500 people every year to train as science teachers. Trainees may be eligible for financial incentives worth up to £10,000.
The ceremony will be shown on BBC2 on Thursday 30 October at 11:20 pm and Saturday 1 November at 4:30 pm.

Notes for editors

The Teacher Training Agency was created in 1994 to raise standards in schools by attracting able and committed people into teaching and improving the quality of teacher training and induction.

Professor Sir Brian Follett is also Chair of the Arts and Humanities Research Board and a Professor of Zoology at Oxford University.

Further details of the Teaching Awards are available at their website. Nominations for the 2004 awards have opened already.