AN internationally-renowned physicist has been appointed to a leading position at a North-East university.

Professor James Stirling will take up his position as the new pro-vice-chancellor of Durham University on August 1.

Prof Stirling is director of the university's centre for the study of particle physics

The Cambridge graduate has previously held a research post at the University of Washington, Seattle, and at the Cern centre, in Switzerland, before coming to Durham in 1986 as a lecturer.

He became a professor in 1992.

Prof Stirling said: "It is a great honour to accept such an important role at Durham.

"We are one of the top ten research universities in the country, with ambitions to improve even further."

Vice-chancellor Sir Kenneth Calman said: "James Stirling is a world-class researcher and among our most distinguished company of scientists."