A leading pollster has won an award for accurately predicting the outcome of the general election.

Professor John Curtice, of Strathclyde's School of Government and Public Policy, received the Political Studies Communicator award at the Political Studies Association's (PSA) annual ceremony in London.

Professor Curtice is president of the British Polling Council and has led the team of electoral experts who produce the exit poll on general election nights in the UK for the last 23 years.

His accurate polling of this year's general election left former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown and ex-Labour communications chief Alastair Campbell red faced after they stated they would eat their hat and kilt, respectively, if the poll was right.

The PSA panellists who selected Professor Curtice said: "Professor John Curtice was chosen by the judges for his important positive contribution to the study of elections and public opinion and the skill with which he communicates his insights to the public through regular media appearances, broadcast and in print.

"In particular, the judges complimented his work on the exit poll for this year's election for its accuracy and high quality methodology."

Professor Curtice said: "Commentating on politics in the full glare of the media spotlight is not without its risks - as this year's exit poll illustrated.

"But I have always taken the view that academics should use their skills and knowledge to try and shed some light on the complex and fast-moving world around us - and am obviously pleased that the Political Studies Association regard my own attempts to perform this role as worthy of recognition."

It is the second time Professor Curtice has picked up the award, having first received it in 2004, in recognition of his contribution to the study of elections and public opinion.