YOUNGSTERS learned about the world's most disgusting experiments when author Nick Arnold launched his latest Horrible Science book.

Year four children from North Road and Alderman Leach primary schools, in Darlington, met the author at the launch of his Really Rotten Experiments book at Ottakar's bookshop in the town.

Mr Arnold said: "I was never terribly interested in science as a child. But when I found out some of the horrible science facts it got my imagination going, which made it much more interesting."

He said the book was full of experiments that youngsters could try at home.

"It is a collection of the world's most revolting and disgusting experiments. Some of the things I'm encouraging children to do is make flour volcanoes, or another of my favourites is making gooey green slime.

"It's all linked to key stage two, although I don't make a big thing about that, because it is for children to read for fun at home."

Louisa Langthorne, science teacher at North Road school, said the event had helped to bring science to life for eight and nine-year-olds.

The Horrible Science series, published by Scholastic, has sold more than two million copies in 30 countries.

Mr Arnold will be at the Northern Children's Book Festival, in Southlands Leisure Centre, Middlesbrough, today.