NORTHWICH venues have played their part in inspiring young girls to get involved with science and engineering over half-term.

The popular ‘Amazed by Science’ family festival rolled out across Cheshire during the school break, and finishes on Sunday, June 3.

The Anderton Boat Lift and Lion Salt Works were among the places putting on fun events.

Tuesday and Wednesday saw the Lion Salt Works hold a ‘salt science’ workshop, while Anderton Boat Lift joined in on Wednesday to teach children about floating and sinking, and hydraulics.

The team behind the week-long festival of learning was hoping to increase the levels for female participation in STEM (science, technology and engineering), up from 45 per cent last year.

The hands-on activities aim to get girls involved in the subjects and, eventually, help fill the gender divide in the industry.

Chief executive of Marketing Cheshire, Katrina Michel, said: “In challenging those misconceptions of science being ‘boring’ or ‘just for boys’ at a young age through events like this and with the support of our partners, hopefully we can inspire a generation of female scientists in this talent-rich area of Cheshire.”

Latest figures show that females currently make up just 23 per cent of the STEM workforce.

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

Visit the website, amazedbyscience.co.uk