Pupils at a Yorkshire school will be given a lesson by TV science star Professor Brian Cox, after winning a nationwide competition, which saw them beat thousands of other teachers and schoolchildren.

The Morley Academy in Leeds was among many across the UK desperate for a chance to be part of Cox's tour - part of the Big Bang UK Young Scientists and Engineers fair. The fair touts itself as the "largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths for young people in the UK," and pupils from the specialist technology college will travel to Manchester in January for a workshop with the professor.

School principal John Townsley said: “We’re always looking at ways of inspiring our pupils to love science – but this is something else!

"It will be an amazing experience for the lucky class, and I’m sure that some of the students involved will look back on this trip as the inspiration they needed to follow their dreams and pursue a successful career in science and engineering."

The class of students will be whisked off to Manchester University's Jodrell Bank Observatory, where they will learn about the solar system and get up close with the the observatory's Lovell Telescope.

Cox called the workshop "my lesson of a lifetime" and expressed his delight at the overwhelming number of entrants to the competition.

"This year’s response from pupils, teachers and parents has been out of this world – it’s amazing that so many young people want to learn about our fascinating and beautiful universe.”

“If taught in the right way, the scientific world can be tremendously inspiring and a lot of fun. I’m really looking forward to taking pupils from The Morley Academy on an exciting journey.”