ROCK superstar and astrophysicist Brian May has been named as a patron of the Hitchin-based Dr Hadwen Trust, the UK’s leading non-animal medical research charity.

The Queen guitarist is a keen advocate of both scientific progress and animal welfare and welcomed the chance to join the charity’s existing high profile patrons, Dame Judi Dench, Joanna Lumley and David Shepherd.

Through its work, the Dr Hadwen Trust funds ground-breaking projects to find practical solutions to devastating human health problems using modern methods that will benefit both people and animals.

As the guitarist marks Queen’s 40th anniversary this year, the Trust has also been celebrating its work over the past 40 years, funding and promoting innovative research into a range of illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, cystic fibrosis, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.

Recent research projects funded by the charity include brain cell imaging, epilepsy, abdominal pain studies, bone disease and nanotoxicity testing.

Mr May said: “I am proud to support the Dr Hadwen Trust, working to secure a future in which no animal will be abused in the name of science.

“The charity demonstrates that medical progress can actually be enhanced by the elimination of inapposite research using animals. By pledging your support, you could help the Trust fund even more projects into human health-related research which will benefit all of us, as well as replacing the use of animals in experiments.”

Kailah Eglington, chief executive of the Dr Hadwen Trust, said: “We are delighted to welcome Brian May as a patron of the charity. We believe Brian will be an excellent ambassador for our work.”

The Dr Hadwen Trust funds cutting-edge research at universities and hospitals across the UK. The projects carried out aim to replace the use of animals in medical research which will lead to more relevant, high quality research.