The DNA double helix: Unravelled by Crick and Watson

The festival is a showcase of events across Newcastle aimed at families, young people and adults, taking place between 12 and 26 April.

Organisers say the programme is designed to make science accessible and fun, and many events are free.

It features talks and debates with internationally acclaimed scientists and authors; a science walk, "hands-on" activities for children, film, and the relationship between art and science.

Nobel prize winner, Dr James Watson, who jointly discovered the structure of DNA in 1953, will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the discovery in a special event on 26 April.

City centre venues include The Hancock Museum, Discovery, the Life Science Centre and the Hatton Gallery.

'Proud history'

The festival has been made possible with funding from regional development agency One North East.

It has made �215,000 available to deliver three festivals, starting with the 2003 pilot event.

Chair of the Newcastle Science Festival Steering Group is Linda Conlon, Director of the Life Science Centre.

She said: "Newcastle is steeped in science. The city has a proud history of science innovation.

'Sensitive issues'

"It was at the forefront of the industrial revolution, producing some of the world's greatest science and engineering giants such as Stephenson, Armstrong and Parsons.

"Science and technology is deeply embedded in our culture.

"Making it accessible and making it fun is the first step towards a better understanding of some of the controversial and sensitive issues in contemporary science. "