DAME Mary Archer visited 'local girl' Dame Margaret Weston to award her a Fellowship of the Science Museum in recognition of her dedication, both during her time as director and in the years since.

Dame Margaret, who was a pupil at Stroud High School went on to become an electrical engineer specialising in high voltage.

In 1955 she joined the science museum and rose to become director in 1973. She was instrumental in setting up the National Railway Museum at York and the Media Museum in Bradford.

After her retirement she continued to support museums round the world and not least here in Stroud as Chair of the Cowle Trust when the Museum in the Park was set up. A recent joy has been the very successful venture, The Walled Garden. She is also Patron of the Stroudwater Textile Trust.

Dame Margaret, who turned 92 years old this year, was unable to travel to London for the Awards ceremony, but Dame Mary Archer gave a presentation showing photos highlighting Margaret's career and of their recent meeting.

Fellowship awards were also given to Dr Kartar Lalvani, Sir Mark Walport and HRH The Princess Royal and the event was attended by a glittering crowd of VIPs.