The BBC’s Autumnwatch TV presenter Chris Packham has been presented with a top award for his “ outstanding work in promoting science to new audiences.”

He has been given the Dilys Breese Medal – named after the pioneering producer of radio and TV wildlife programmes – by the British Trust for Ornithology, arguably the world’s leading body for the scientific study of wild birds.

The BTO believes one of its major objectives is to explain often complex scientific work to the general public and in presenting Chris with the medal at a ceremony at the world famous Royal Society in London, the trust praised “ his ‘science geek’ pieces on the popular wildlife show, Autumnwatch, which are regularly watched by over four million people.”

Dilys Breese, who was a vice president of the BTO, gave Chris is first job on the BBC and he told the audience: “I have always been interested in scientific research and understood its importance in underpinning conservation action, not just in this country but around the globe.

“To receive this award from one of the leading scientific research establishments in the country is a real honour.”