The University of Wales has caught up with its Oxbridge rivals after an outstanding performance on the Bangor project.

The Bangor arm of the principality's national seat of learning - which has colleges across Wales - has received a 5* grading from research assessors largely for its psychology department's groundbreaking fresh produce study the Bangor project.

The rating is the highest possible accolade available from independent assessors who check the credentials of every research establishment in the UK. Oxford and Cambridge scooped similar ratings.

Institutions are marked from 1 (poor) to 5 (superb), with a discretionary star award given to those establishments that can demonstrate outstanding merit and international importance.

The final results of the Bangor project – rumoured to be positive about the chances of encouraging young people to consume more fresh produce - will be presented to the Horticulture in Focus Conference on February 28.