Britain can retain its place as a world-leading science and technology hub after Brexit, Bill Gates has said, provided the country continues to attract talent and invest in research and development.

The Microsoft founder, whose philanthropic organisation has $1 billion (£750m) invested in British research institutions, warned before the referendum that a vote to leave the European Union could jeopardise the UK’s booming science community.

But in an interview with The Daily Telegraph, the world’s richest man said he felt the excellence of Britain's scientific research could continue, provided care is taken.