ONE of the three new science laboratories at St Laurence School in Bradford on Avon is to be called the Thunberg Laboratory after the young Swedish climate change campaigner.

The name was put forward by Bradford on Avon Town Council after it ran a public competition asking residents to submit a name for the laboratory.

Cllr Alex Kay, deputy mayor and chairman of the council's environment and planning committee, said: "Councillors felt that Greta Thunberg represents the fearless tenacity of youth in challenging us to build a better world, and that she inspires young people to learn and to lead.

"Climate change is a scientific challenge, needing new generations of scientists to address it; to restore and protect the precious ecology of this planet for the future wellbeing of all it’s occupants.

"We hope that the Thunberg lab will nurture and inspire budding scientists in our community for many years to come.”

The joint winners of the competition to name the laboratory were Andy Parsons and Rachel Ferguson.

Mr Parsons suggested the name because “Ecology is the study of living ecosystems. Due to the climate crisis, virtually all ecosystems on this planet are currently under threat.

"We need to inspire young people to protect the ecosytems of this planet. Currently there is arguably no better inspiration than Greta Thunberg who has single handedly done more to bring the climate crisis to world attention than anyone.”

This view was reiterated by the second joint winner, Rachel Ferguson, who said: “Greta Thunberg has raised global awareness of the risks posed by global warming/climate change, and has acted to hold politicians to account for lack of action.

"The name reminds us that ‘no one is too small to make a difference’ and can inspire young people to take action for causes they believe in.”

Bradford on Avon Town Council won the right to name one of the laboratories in the £970,000 science block after making a £10,000 donation towards the cost of equipping them.

St Laurence launched a £60,00 appeal in March last year to help raise funds to modernise its facilities and extend the capacity of the premises dedicated to science education.

Work began on the new science block in spring 2019 with the creation of three new state-of-the art laboratories and a new classroom.

Funding towards the development came from a Community Infrastructure Levy and some reserves, however the school faced a £60,000 shortfall.

The Wolfson Foundation also awarded the school a £50,000 grant towards the appeal.