Climate experts gets £4m facility

Magnolias have unusually been seen in full bloom in April this year

Climate change experts at Sheffield University are to benefit from a new £4.4m research centre in the city.

The new facility off Northumberland Road will boast an energy-efficient greenhouse and planted "green roof".

The university will also introduce more plants and insects to increase the biodiversity of surrounding woodland.

Research at the centre will focus on the effects of climate change on the behaviour of plants and social insects, such as ants and bees.

It will also allow scientists to carry out experiments in controlled environmental conditions, simulating conditions under future climate scenarios and from different regions around the world.

Professor Malcolm Press, head of the Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, said: "The department is already recognised internationally for its research excellence and we are extremely pleased to be improving and developing our facilities further.

"This new facility will not only improve the university's capability for world-class research, but it will also enhance Sheffield's reputation for addressing global environmental issues."