SOUTHAMPTON'S Oceanography Centre is to be renamed next year.

From May 1 the centre will be called the National Oceanography Centre to reflect its growing importance on the national and international scene as a world leader in research.

The renaming will coincide with the appointment of the centre's new director, Professor Edward Hill.

The revamp is backed by the National Environmental Research Council and the University of Southampton.

University vice-chancellor Professor Bill Wakeham said: "I'm certain that by introducing this central point of excellence, the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton will become the natural choice in the fields of oceanography and earth systems science for students and researchers from all over the world."