A BOLTON professor who developed a love of science at Thornleigh Salesian College has been appointed to lead Europe’s top cancer research centre.

Professor Alan Ashworth, a world renowned scientist, takes up his new post as chief executive of The Institute of Cancer Research in January.

The 50-year-old professor joined the organisation in 1986 and has been director of the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre for 11 years.

His work has led to some significant breakthoughs in the battle against cancer, including the discovery of the BRCA2 gene which is linked to an increased risk of some types of the disease.

Five years ago he also identified a way of exploiting weaknesses in cancer cells to create new types of medicine.

A professor of molecular biology and a Fellow of the Royal Society, Professor Ashworth is also joint leader of the Breakthrough Generations Study, which is studying the causes of breast cancer by monitoring 100,000 women over 40 years.

And last year the leading scientist was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the European Society for Medical Oncology.

Professor Ashworth now lives in London with his partner Amanda McGuigan, but his roots are in Bolton, where he grew up in a Tonge Moor family with his parents Arthur and Dorothy and younger siblings Mark and Michelle.

He was a pupil at St Mary’s Primary School and Thornleigh Salesian College before going to university at Imperial College, London.

“We are very proud of him.

He has worked very hard to get where he is from a working class family,” said his father, who now lives in Astley Bridge.

Professor Ashworth said he was delighted to be appointed to his new post.