The annual Science Festival at Royal Holloway, University of London returns this weekend - and the theme is an inspirational one.

'Let Science inspire you' is the slogan as the Egham based college offers a free programme of fun and educational talks.

It runs tomorrow (Saturday)from 10am to 4pm.

Royal Holloway’s science departments will offer fantastic insights into their research and teaching. Watch out for vortex rings and ultracold demos (physics), panning for gold and exploding volcanoes (earth sciences), fighting fish (biological sciences) and making 3D images of Earth’s interior (Geography).

Special events on the day include the Science Museum’s resident comedy team with an amazing interactive journey into the marvels of mathematics. The Ugly Animal Roadshow, led by biologist and presenter Simon Watt, will also celebrate the incredible biology of the animal kingdom’s most monstrous creatures.

There will be stargazing, birds of prey, live steam engines and exhibitions from the Chelsea Physic Garden and Eton Museum.

Glimpses into the history of science and of Royal Holloway will show the links between science, art and landscapes as explored through the Victorian landscape painter, geologist and astronomer John Brett.

Remarkable women who have worked or studied at Royal Holloway since its opening in 1886 will be remembered.

Professor Paul Hogg, Dean of the Faculty of Science, said: "We’ve got a cracking programme this year and we encourage people of all ages and interests to join us at the Science Festival, to meet our fantastic staff and students, share their passion and be inspired by science."