Oxfordshire is going under the microscope as organisers prepare for National Science Week.

Exhibitions, talks, geology trails and workshops are just some of the events taking place between Friday, March 8, and Saturday, March 17, in the county as part of the ninth National Science Week.

The activities are designed to reveal the science behind everyday objects and places in Oxfordshire.

Abingdon Library is hosting an event called Sixty Second Science, where budding scientists have the chance to compete for prizes in various scientific challenges.

Library manager Kelvin Eveleigh said: "We have tried to combine science with reading activities. For one activity we are asking people to see how much they can read in 60 seconds."

The event is open to all and takes place on Wednesday, March 13, between 2pm and 5pm.

Oxford Museum has set up an interactive exhibition around the gallery which looks at the history of food from Roman times until the 1930s.

The museum has also organised a science trail around Oxford to highlight places of scientific interest around the city.

For more information on National Science Week events, call the national hotline on 0207 973 3062 or visit www.the-ba.net/nsw.x