The Association of British Science Writers, in conjunction with BBC Radio Science, has presented its New Voice Award for 2006 to Anna Lacey, a 23 year old former research assistant at Cambridge University . The award recognises emerging science broadcasting talent and is presented to an entrant under the age of 30 who is not employed as a professional broadcaster. The winner was announced this evening at a ceremony at The Royal Society, London , hosted by the Association of British Science Writers.

The New Voice Award, which was launched in 2005 and made in conjunction with BBC Radio Science , is part of the Syngenta ABSW Science Writers' Awards, which seek to set standards of excellence in science journalism. Eight prizes of £2,000 each are made each year to the professional journalists and broadcasters who have produced the highest quality work and set the highest standards of science writing, judged by an independent panel. Launched in 1966 and run by the ABSW with sponsorship from Syngenta, a world-leading agri-business, with additional support from the Medical Research Council and The Royal Society, the prizes are widely regarded as the most prestigious in science journalism.

The shortlist for the New Voice Award for 2006 was:

• Elizabeth Connor, Imperial College London

• Anna Lacey, formerly Cambridge University

• Nitya Rajan, Royal Holloway, University of London

The winner will spend two weeks working with producers at BBC Radio Science and science correspondents at BBC News, with a commitment to air a piece made by the winner. A FlashMic, the world's first professional digital recording system, which has been donated by manufacturers HHB, also forms part of the prize.

Anna, a zoologist and former research assistant at Cambridge University , has recently started working freelance. Her winning entry, Mussel Power , told the early stage story of freshwater mussel research and investigated its potential in helping restore devastated lake ecosystems.

Announcing the winner, Mohit Bakaya, Commissioning Editor, Specialist Factual, BBC Radio 4 , said: ‘As well as flair, creativity, innovation and technical potential, we were looking for a winner with a commitment to innovative and engaging science broadcasting, whose potential could be developed sufficiently to secure BBC airtime. We hope the prize will help launch our winner on the path of a successful career in science broadcasting.'