THE wonder of science entranced shoppers in Oxford city centre on Saturday.

The Bonn Square event kicked off the month-long Oxfordshire Science Festival of talks and shows with a plasma ball, a fossil display and liquid nitrogen among the scientific sights on show.

Charlotte Mason, nine, from Jericho, said: “I have learnt a lot. I liked touching the fossils.”

Mum Alison Etheridge, 46, said: “It is much better than I expected. I thought it would be a bit miserable in the pouring rain but they have enjoyed it.

“It is hands-on stuff that kids like and that is how they learn.”

Sian Owen, of Oxford University’s physics department, was among the experts on hand to talk to shoppers.

She said: “It is about inspiring people with physics, creating a buzz about science and getting people talking.”

Jasmine Jones, seven, from Sheffield, said: “I have learned a lot today and it is better learning than at school.”

Her grandmother Joanna Hattersley, 53, from Stoke-on-Trent, said: “It is fun science and it inspires children. It feels more like recreation when you come to this sort of thing rather than dry teaching at school.”

For details, see oxfordshire sciencefestival.co.uk