THERE was plenty of family fun during the half-term holiday across Cheshire as the Amazed by Science festival returned to the county.

Families took part in activities such as journeying together through the solar system, launching live rockets and learning how to keep zoo animals fit and healthy.

Events have been happening at more than a dozen different locations over nine days including Chester Town Hall Square, Chester Zoo, The Lion Saltworks and the Port Arcades in Ellesmere Port.

Other festival highlights have included the chance to take part in dramatic sinking and floating experiments at The Anderton Boat Lift in Northwich, exploring 'the science of poo' and other animal behaviour with Zoo Rangers at Chester Zoo; and meeting a real life astronomer at Jodrell Bank.

Now in its fifth year, the annual science festival is organised by Marketing Cheshire and sponsored by several big names from the science community including headline sponsor Essar along with SP Energy Networks, Urenco, Waters Corporation, Global Atkins and Siemens.

Ian Cotton, head of communications at Essar Stanlow, said: "Changing the way children see science is a key part of the Amazed by Science Festival and we're proud to support the event."

For more information, visit www.amazedbyscience.co.uk or follow @amazedbyscience on Twitter or Facebook at facebook.com/amazedbyscience.