TWO lecturers from Burnley College Sixth Form Centre had a mind-blowing tour of the world's most advanced and largest particle accelerator.

A-level computer science lecturer Simon Rowan and Richard Newby, lecturer of physics, visited the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland to learn about the Large Hadron Collider.

They will pass on their findings from the trip to Burnley College’s students to inspire them in pursuing academic excellence in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)subjects.

Richard Newby said that their trip will benefit the college and they plan on returning in November with a group of students.

He said: “This trip will help me to gain a better understanding of the complex work done at CERN which in turn will allow me to create exciting, current and informative lessons for my students.

“ I am hoping to use any funds remaining from the bursary to subsidise a return trip with a group of students next year.”

The Large Hadron Collider was tasked with discovering the Higgs Boson, also known as the God Particle, by recreating the conditions of the Big Bang in a controlled environment.

The Higgs Boson will allow scientists to further understand the principles of mass formation and may reveal clues into how the universe was formed.

Peter Higgs, the British scientist who helped to theorise the existence of the particle, was awarded the Nobel Prize last year.

Lecturer Simon Rowan said: “The opportunity to visit CERN and attend lectures from some of CERN’s top researchers, is a real privilege and honour."

The trip was funded by a bursary from the National Science Centre.