UNIVERSITY scientists have been praised by the Prime Minister for their work on climate change.

Dr Paula Carey and Dr Colin Hills from the University of Greenwich have developed a technology that captures carbon dioxide and turns it into rock.

It also converts contaminated soil and industrial waste into harmless pebbles which can be recycled as a construction material.

The scientists have set up a company, Carbon8 Systems, to develop the technology and are now in talks with waste management companies, aiming to get funding for their first commercial plant.

They were invited to 10 Downing Street to meet Gordon Brown on the eve of international climate change talks in Copenhagen.

Mr Brown said: “Their innovation and expertise demonstrates why the UK is one of best places in the world for low carbon business."