It may be a mouthful but to Reg Moores, nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) spectroscopy is entertainment.

And Reg should know, because as well as producing nuclear spectrometers in his shed, he has worked as a singer, fire-eater and stilt-skater.

He also taught magic to Paul Daniels.

Reg, 81, has invented an electrically-heated dressing gown, a radio microphone and suitcase casters.

However, it is his work in NQR spectroscopy - the study of the structure of atoms by observing the frequency at which they vibrate - which has taken him all around the world for more than 30 years mingling with top scientists.

In September, Reg, of Horton Road, Brighton, will be jetting off to Seattle in the USA for the latest biannual symposium on the subject.

But this will be his last conference, leaving him more time to dedicate to his other 24 groups and societies. He said: "It's all entertaining. If it wasn't, it wouldn't be there.

"It doesn't matter if it's in the theatre or a serious matter in a university. The only difference is with spectroscopy we are supposed to be enhancing our knowledge."

Reg was born and brought up in Brighton, attending Park Street School. During the Second World War, he served as a flight engineer with the RAF.

A 36-hour journey lugging heavy kit and equipment bags by train and boat encouraged him to attach casters to his bags. It was the first of many inventions including a giant kite with which he lifted John Noakes on Blue Peter.

He said: "I used to be chief technician in chemistry at Sussex University and made equipment for universities across the country.

"The last spectrometer I made is at McGill University in Montreal and when it finishes using it, it will be kept in its Rutherford Museum.

"I will not be presenting a paper at this symposium, as I stopped practical work on it some years ago, but I'm still there for modifications and odds and ends.

"I was a founder member of the Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance Spectroscopy Scientific Group in 1972.

"I'm involved with about 25 different organisations so when this is cast off it will be one less."