A BINGLEY school has celebrated the anniversary of the birth of one of its most famous former pupils, and one of the most important figures in British science.

To mark 100 years since the birth of scientist and cosmologist Sir Fred Hoyle, Bingley Grammar School held an event yesterday where hundreds of primary school pupils learned about science in hands on demonstrations.

And later in the day the school hosted a centenary event for adults where top scientists discussed the importance of the scientist, who has been described as being second only to Einstein in importance in the field of astrophysics.

Born in Gilstead in 1915, Fred Hoyle has been credited with coining the phrase "the Big Bang" and for his theories of panspermia, the idea that life on the earth originated from microorganisms from space.

He actually rejected the Big Bang theory of the universe in favour of the Steady State Theory, which suggested the universe had always existed.

During a distinguished career, the Cambridge educated professor appeared on radio shows and wrote numerous books, both science and science fiction, and was knighted in 1972.

In recent years a stretch of the Bingley Bypass was named after the scientist.

Yesterday evening the school held an event to discuss Sir Fred's life and works. The panel for the evening featured his granddaughter, Cambridge mathematician Nicola Hoyle, Sir Fred’s research partner, Professor Chandra Wickramsinghe, Dr John Baruch, robotic telescope director at the University of Bradford and Professor David Jenkins, head of the Nuclear Astrophysics group at York University.

But earlier in the day, the focus was on the future generation of scientists. Bingley Grammar had invited pupils from nearby Crossflatts and Eldwick Primary schools to take part in a day of science experiments.

Although Sir Fred's work would go over the head of many adults, let alone primary school children, the day was more about creating a love of science in these young people.

Over the course of the morning the school's science teachers showed children how to make rockets and telescopes, as well as experimenting with dry ice and different gasses.

Assistant head and physics teacher David Ashley said: "He was the first person to work out stellar nucleosynthesis and he has been described as being second only to Einstein when it comes to the study of astrophysics in the last century.

"The thought for this event was to inspire the children and show them that a person from here went on to do so well in science. It was a celebration of his life and making the children aware of the work of this local person."

Dr Baruch said the importance of having Sir Fred as a famous son was something that Bradford hadn't really exploited. He said: "He was second only to Einstein in importance in the areas of cosmology and astronomy.

"It is incredibly important that we are celebrating this anniversary. He was a very interesting person, and we do get people from all over the world coming here to see where he came from.

"Bradford doesn't really promote its scientific history at all. It needs to sell itself more in that sense. It is great that we are celebrating him today, its important to show how a little ragamuffin can go on to do so well."