An expert physicist will be visiting Helensburgh to give a talk on his experience working at one of the world’s biggest nuclear research organisations.

Dr Gavin McPherson - who has a PhD in particle physics from the University of Liverpool - will present his talk ‘CERN: exploring the fundamental nature of matter.’

The talk will take place in the Helensburgh Parish Church Hall on Friday, January 19 at 11am as part of the Helensburgh and District U3A’s ongoing series of science talks – and will be their 50th event overall since forming five years ago.

Dr McPherson’s talk will delve into his time working for CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research).

A spokesperson for the Helensburgh group said: “In the 1990s at CERN, Dr McPherson searched for the Higgs Bosons at the DELPHI experiment on the Large Electron Positron collider, the precursor to the LHC.

“He now works in the renewable energy sector but has kept abreast with developments in particle physics.

“In addition to the facts and the physics Gavin will try to give a feel for what it was like to live and work at the world's largest ever scientific experiment.”

Read more: Helensburgh's U3A science group to mark fiftieth anniversary

The talk is open to all U3A members with entry costing £2 to cover hall hire costs.

Free coffee and tea will be available to all guests.

The U3A is a UK-wide collection of over 1,000 charities, whose activities are generally aimed at retired or semi-retired people, who wish to share in recreational, creative, or learning activities or just enjoy companionship.

There are more than 430,000 members across the UK – with the Helensburgh branch having more than 220 locals signed up - who have access to exclusive talks and events.

Find out more about the Helensburgh and District branch at www.u3asites.org.uk/helensburgh/welcome.