a true

glass act

A SCIENTIFIC glassblower is jetting off to Germany and America after scooping a prestigious scholarship.

Philip Murray, 22, has won a Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship, awarded as a living tribute to Sir Winston Churchill.

It means he will be able to spend six weeks on his travels, learning a range of new glassblowing techniques.

Philip works for SOG Limited, a Runcorn company that has transformed the former ICI headquarters at The Heath into a flourishing business park.

He is one of the youngest scientific glassblowers in the profession.

Philip said: "I am delighted to be awarded the scholarship. When I get back I will be looking to pass on my new techniques at any given opportunity, whether by attending industry meetings or providing practical demonstrations."

He plans to visit one of the world's leading glassblowing companies in Germany, attend university workshops and the American Glassblowing Society's annual symposium in Ohio.

He is also hoping to visit the Corning Museum of Glass, a world-renowned centre in New York state.

Peter Cook, SOG's managing director, said: "Everyone at SOG is immensely proud of Philip and his achievements. We wish him every success with the trip and look forward to hearing about and learning from his experience when he returns."

Philip's work was recognised by the British Scientific Glassblowing Society's prestigious annual awards, last year, where he scooped the Hampshire Glass Trophy and the AD Wood Cup.

Pictured: Scientific glassblower Philip Murray, who has won a prestigious travel scholarship