The Royal Society’s Prize for Science Books went to Daniel Gilbert, professor of psychology at Harvard University in the US, for his best-selling book Stumbling On Happiness. The book draws on psychology and neuroscience, as well as personal experience, to look at the various ways people attempt to make themselves happy.

Lord Rees, president of the Royal Society, presented the £10,000 prize.

Professor Colin Pillinger, chair of the judges, said: "Stumbling On Happiness is an outstanding and highly readable winner of this year’s Royal Society Prize for Science Books.

"Daniel Gilbert’s voice provides a witty companion throughout this exploration of the science behind the pursuit of happiness - an issue which fascinates us all."

Richard: Top Gear right to show crash - April 4 2007
Brave presenter Richard Hammond has said that the BBC was right to show footage of his near fatal 288mph car crash.

The 37-year-old, who was in a coma for two weeks after the horrific accident, told Star magazine that he was amazed to see the crash film.

"If it didn’t kill me at the time, it wasn’t going to kill me just watching it. But to see details - like the crash helmet that saved my life and the harness that stopped me being smashed to pieces - took my breath away," he said, adding that he felt it was important that viewers were not shielded from the images.

"It’s a sensitive issue but I think it would have been irresponsible for us not to show it. Things go wrong - that’s how it is in the world."

And he said that while his brain injury was extremely serious, he doesn’t have a scratch on him.

"Not a mark! Nothing, honestly. I’m very, very lucky. There were no physical complications at all, it was just my brain."

"After the crash I had post-traumatic amnesia, which meant I had a five-second memory."

The star, known to Top Gear fans as Hamster, has been overwhelmed by the support he has had from well wishers.

A whopping eight million viewers tuned in to see his return to the show and he has even become something of an unintentional heart-throb.

"I don’t understand it at all. My wife thinks it’s hilarious."

Awards for brave Hammond - Mar 7 2007
Richard Hammond and weather presenter Sian Lloyd have both picked up broadcasting awards.

The 37-year-old Top Gear star, who has made a miraculous recovery since his life-threatening crash last year, was named best satellite/digital TV personality for his role as host of Sky One show Brainiac.

He joked: "I’m not allowed to drink for a couple of years so I’m the designated driver, but no one wants to take the car with me."

Sian, who has also experienced a rough year due to her fiance Lembit Opik’s romance with Cheeky Girl Gabriela Irimia, won best TV weather presenter.

Ant and Dec won the TV personality award - their gong was picked up by I’m A Celebrity ...Get Me Out Of Here! star Myleene Klass.

Coronation Street was named TV soap of the year, while Emmerdale won a Special Award, leaving only EastEnders out in the cold, although Lacey Turner, Stacey Slater in the BBC soap, won a TV personality award.

The other winners at the 2007 Television and Radio Industries Club awards included Chris Moyles, whose Radio 1 breakfast show won best radio programme and he also won a digital radio award.