AN explosive custard flame-thrower is just one of many weird and wacky inventions which will be on show for the first time during a celebration of all things scientific in the North-East next month.

The programme for the third Newcastle Science Festival whetted the appetite yesterday at the city's Life Science Centre.

It promises to be the biggest and best event of its kind staged in Newcastle, recently designated a science city by the Government.

Inventions such as Noel Jackson's custard flame thrower are bound to appeal to aspiring scientists visiting the ten-day festival at museums, galleries and places of interest across Newcastle and Gateshead.

Mr Jackson, education manager at the Life Science Centre, demonstrated his prototype flame-thrower much to the amusement of onlookers at yesterday's launch.

It will be one of a number of gadgets and gizmos featuring in the festival.

The programme is packed with live shows and demonstrations from popular scientists and television personalities such as Johnny Ball, Chris Packham and Dr Bunhead.

In all, there will be 60 events at venues including the Life Science Centre, and Newcastle's Discovery and Hancock museums, plus the recently-opened Sage and Baltic centres, on Gateshead Quays.

Apart from the big-name celebrity shows, there will be more technical talks, lectures and debates.

Children can get involved through events including planetarium shows and workshops celebrating the 100th anniversary of Einstein's theory of relativity, plus a look at the art and science of colour and perception.

Regional development agency One NorthEast has backed the festival with £100,000 funding.

Its director of regeneration and tourism, John Holmes, said: "The festival brings science to life through a lively mix of demonstrations, experiments and personalities.

"It also plays an important role in showcasing the wealth of talent we have in our region and highlights the career opportunities this field offers our young people and graduates.

"Science will play an increasingly important part in the North-East's economy in the years to come.''

The festival runs from March 11 to 21, with further details available on www. newcastlesciencefestival.co. uk, or contact 0191-243 8292