A combination of mints, cola and cornflour caused explosions at an Oxford museum.

The spectacular bangs were part of a celebration to mark the re-opening of Science Oxford on Saturday. The museum in London Place, St Clements, has recently had a £250,000 facelift.

About 200 people visited the centre during the reopening event.

They were greeted by several 2ft-tall robots with built-in sensors to stop them bumping into things – and people – as they walked around the building.

Children played with mirror madness — where their reflection could be stretched or displayed dozens of times over.

Lessons about friction and how to send secret whisper messages across the room were also on offer.

Explosion displays ran throughout the day, with one experiment involving putting an effervescent tablet in a film holder, adding water, shaking it and waiting for it to explode.

Leon Dines, six, said: “We watched the lady make a big ball and then it exploded. It was really cool.”

Another explosion involved blowing cornflour through a tube and funnel then igniting it.

Science Oxford marketing manager Anne Lechelle said: “We were really pleased with the number of people that came.

“Children need to be able to play but at the same time understand how things work.

“We want to show science is not just for an exclusive number of people, it’s for everyone, and everything you do is all to do with some sort of science.”

Before the centre closed in January there was a reception area, performance room and adult exhibition room on the ground floor, and the children’s area was tucked away upstairs.

The children’s gallery has now moved downstairs, the adult exhibition area and performance hall have moved upstairs, and a coffee shop and relaxation area have been added.

Ms Lechelle added: “We can give a better experience and give the feel this is a centre for five- to 105-year-olds.”

Over the next few weeks there will be a host of special exhibits at the centre, including Jonathan's Jungle Roadshow, where children can get up close to reptiles, an animal workshop, and a dinosaur day.

For more information go to scienceoxfordlive.com news@oxfordmail.co.uk