Cambridge is a city unlike many others: it is ringed with lush meadows, the languorous river Cam weaves through the centre and ancient college colonnades and quadrangles line elegant cobbled streets.

So far, so familiar historic country town. However, it is also thoroughly modern, with a thriving science-based economy serviced by more than 1,500 high-tech companies. It is close to London (the train journey to Kings Cross takes less than 50 minutes) and Stansted airport is only 32 miles away.