A new science facility in Oxfordshire could have contributed to an £80m black hole in Government funding for research, a group of leading physicists has claimed.

The Science and Technology Facilities Council revealed it underestimated running costs for the UK's research facilities, including the Diamond Synchrotron, at Harwell, and failed to ask for enough money in the Government's comprehensive spending review.

The scientists have now called on the Government to intervene to protect physics research, which faces a significant shortfall.

Diamond, which enables scientists to use powerful light beams to study the structure of matter, will cost more than £380m to build. Current running costs, estimated at £30m a year, are set to rise to £46m as work on phase two of the operation starts next year.

A report by the House of Commons public accounts committee said Diamond was over budget by £30m. But managers say the original estimate for the project was made 10 years ago based on a smaller facility in Cheshire.

A spokesman said: "The company has been and remains committed to delivering within the final negotiated budget."

Science Minister Ian Pearson said Prof Ian Diamond, the chairman of Research Councils UK, had been asked to carry out a review of "all specifics" in relation to funding.