THE proud industrial heritage of the North-East will be the focus of a new exhibition that hopes to make science sexier.

Renowned scientist Professor Ian Fells will demonstrate how industry was revolutionised by the steam turbine, invented on Tyneside, in a series of experiments on renewable energy.

The Powering the Future show, at the Discovery Museum, in Newcastle, takes place on Saturday, from 10.45am to 11.30am.

It is the first of the museum's fortnightly Science Saturday events, which aim to make science more attractive to youngsters.

Prof Fells said: "I am delighted to be the first presenter in the series of Science Saturday events, which aim to make it a more fun and accessible subject. It can be difficult to make science exciting for the public."

The professor, a television presenter and advisor to the World Energy Council, will use simple but eye-catching experiments to demonstrate the power sources that made trains, cars, aeroplanes and rockets possible.

Malcolm Kennedy, chairman of the Associates of Discovery Museum said: "The prime aim of the Associates of Discovery Museum is to encourage young people to take an interest in science and technology.

"We hope that by bringing prominent figures from the world of science and engineering to present family shows that we can build some bridges between the science community and the public and inspire a new generation of scientists."

The museum will also be running activities looking at energy and wind-power, to run alongside the show on Saturday, from 10.30am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 4pm.

Admission is free.