A GIFTED young scientist dubbed 'a young Stephen Hawking' has had his talent recognised with a top international prize.

Trinity Catholic High School sixthformer Joshua Roberts saw off competition from 140 of the world's most talented youngsters to land the prestigious Mulpha Award at the University of Sydney.

The coveted prize was awarded to Joshua by the Prof Harry Messel International Science School during a special ceremony attended by a number of eminent scientists.

The 17-year-old, who achieve 12 A*s in his GCSEs and hopes to go on to study natural sciences at Cambridge University after completing his A-Levels, was selected to travel to Australia during the summer alongside four other gifted youngsters from schools across the UK.

Once at the university, the teenager, of Buckhurst Hill - who is also a gifted classical musician - was then secretly selected to win the prize by lecturers who were impressed by his knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject.

He said: "None of us realised that we were being assessed for the award while we were at the university.

"While we were there we got to attend lectures, and then got the chance to discuss what had been said with the lecturers who were then asked which of us they thought had asked the most insightful questions.

"My mum was really happy when I told her on the phone that I had won the award, and even burst into tears.

"She then went on to tell just about everybody in the English speaking world, if the amount of text message I received is anything to go by.

"I'm proud to have won the prize, and now hope to get into Cambridge."

Trinity teacher Mark Loster said Joshua - who hopes to work in research and then scientific patenting when he finishes his studies - is destined for great things.

He said: "Joshua is one of the most talented pupils I have ever come across.

"He is a bit of a one off talent, a bit like a young Stephen Hawkings.

"We are very proud of his achievement."