The teachers, not all science specialists, came from secondary schools in the area. All were intent on finding out how AstraZeneca went about its quest to discover and develop new medicines to fight the many diseases which cause ill health - particularly treatment for asthma, bronchitis and arthritis.

The teachers were told about the complex and costly work which goes into the discovery of potential new medicines and the lengthy development process before any new medicine could reach the market place.

They were also given an insight into the small but vital role of animals in the research process.

A tour of the state-of-the-art new laboratories, built over recent years, followed.

"The visit was similar to one from science students at Burleigh also during science week," said AstraZeneca PR Manager Gill Hilsdon. "AstraZeneca is keen to encourage teachers and students to find out about what is a complex but equally a fascinating and engrossing field of work because we hope that many of the youngsters become the scientists of the future who will be needed to keep this fight against disease progressing."

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