RESEARCHERS and chemists from around the globe are mixing in the North-East at an important event on the science calendar.

The University of Sunderland is hosting the Analytical Research Forum, attracting more than 180 chemists from countries such as Ghana, Italy and Canada.

They represent some of the world's biggest companies, and universities such as Oxford, Kings College and Toronto University.

Chemists are discussing cutting-edge research being carried out, such as the chemistry of the world's oceans, forensic analysis of scenes of crime, and investigating the chemistry of pre-historic times.

The university's Dr Roger Reeve, who organised the event, said: "This is the major annual conference for chemistry, and a major coup for Sunderland."

The forum is at the university until today.