THE son of East Lancashire scientist Sir Ernest Marsden said his father would have been "overwhelmed" by the honour recently bestowed on him.

Dr Ernest Marsden, Sir Ernest's son, contacted the Lancashire Evening Telegraph after reading about the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate his father's life and work.

Born in 1888 in Hermitage Street, Rishton, Sir Ernest attended Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, West Park Road, Blackburn, from 1901 to 1906, after winning a corporation scholarship.

While at Manchester University on a county council scholarship he conducted a groundbreaking piece of work into the construction of the atom, discovering that only a small centre of the atom, not the whole, was made up of a charge, enabling an understanding of how they attract each other.

His discovery paved the way for further experiments and developments including transistors and silicon chips.

Earlier this month the Institute of Physics unveiled the plaque after learning that Sir Ernest was from Rishton ---he was better known in New Zealand having emigrated there in his 20s.

Sir Ernest received his knighthood in 1958, and died in 1970. Dr Marsden still lives in Auckland, New Zealand, and recalled his memories of his father.

"I must say the family was extremely proud that the Institute of Physics should erect a plaque at Hermitage Street in my father's honour," he said.

"In retrospect he was a very normal and indulgent father to my sister and myself.

"He was certainly full of energy and enthusiasm and in later years showed a lot of interest in his grandchildren.

"I have many fond memories of holidays at the beach, fishing, boat trips etc but most of all of the unpredictable life he led.

"He would often ring my mother up in the afternoon and say 'pack for me. I have to go to Auckland (or Christchurch, Dunedin etc) tonight.

"He even rang up early in 1939 saying he had to go to London the next day. So life was never dull.

"He was very proud of his roots.

"I am pleased the ceremony went off well and I received some pictures by email. He certainly would have been impressed, grateful and overwhelmed. There is always something special about honours coming from your own kith and kin."

Dr Marsden added that he still had a medal presented to his father by QEGS.