ANIMAL expert and broadcaster Dr Desmond Morris took a trip back to his childhood last night when he visited Swindon.

The famous scientist returned to his home town to launch a new public lecture series for the University of Bath in Swindon.

The lecture entitled the Naked Eye Travels in Search of the Human Species took place at the Upper Room in Regent Street.

More than 400 people packed the aisles of the former cinema to hear Mr Morris speak about his many experiences, which included growing up in Swindon.

Mr Morris said: "It's great to be back in what I refer to as the city of Swindon.

"A return to the Savoy Cinema to be giving the inaugural talk for Swindon's first venture into university life is quite amazing.

"Swindon was where I spent my formative years and has always been important to me."

He came to the town to launch GULP, the General University Lecture Programme, which heralds the community courses which are being introduced as part of the university in Swindon.