THOSE of you who enjoy researching things might appreciate this information.

I have had a press release from the National Archives in London telling me that history graduate Charmian Brownrigg from Penwortham, near Preston, has won the Royal Historical Society - History Today Award for the best history dissertation.

The National Archives hosted the finalists for lunch and provided a behind the scenes tour of the archive in Kew.

Sarah Tyacke, the Chief Executive, said: "The National Archives is a second home for most history researchers in the UK because you can find documents on almost any aspect of British history from the last 900 years. And because it is all free it suits students' wallets."

The Archive website is: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk and the free museum and research rooms in Kew, West London, are open to the public six days a week.