A KIRKINTILLOCH inventor and "father of television" has been awarded an Emmy - 130 years after he died.

Alexander Bain, who died aged 67 in 1877, has been given the award by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for his outstanding achievement in technical or engineering development.

His Emmy, awarded at the 67th Annual Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards in Las Vegas, was given in recognition of inventing the concept of scanning for image transmission, said to be one of the fundamental principles of television.

The Emmy has now arrived in East Dunbartonshire where it is being looked after by the council, which maintains his grave in the Old Aisle cemetery.

Council leader Rhondda Geekie said: "Arrangements are now being made to have the Emmy put on public display in the Auld Kirk Museum in Kirkintilloch so everyone can have the opportunity to see this prestigious award and learn more about the work of Alexander Bain.

"His achievements have gone relatively unnoticed in the 138 years since his death and it is important that we play our part in helping to bring his innovative work to the attention of a new generation of budding young engineers and help inspire them."

Kirkintilloch and District Society of Antiquaries played a key role in ensuring the Emmy was awarded to Bain and president Ivan Ruddock said: "It is no exaggeration to state that he can be considered the father of television, and is consequently worthy of the recognition that the award of this Emmy represents".

His invention was the first time that an image was transmitted from one location to another and introduced the concepts of scan lines, pixels and frame and line synchronisation used in all modern tv systems.

During his lifetime, Bain's achievements included the invention of the electric clock and important contributions to the electric telegraph, but he is now known worldwide as the inventor of the facsimile machine, which he patented in 1843.