AN AWARD-winning science festival which has attracted tens of thousands of people to Dunbar has been confirmed to return to the town for another year.

Dunbar SciFest is back for a fifth year and gets under way on March 7, with a variety of programmes throughout the weekend.

Last year’s event attracted 8,500 visitors, with 227 activities over 11 days. And with hundreds of events again planned for 2015, it looks like being another busy year.

The Dunbar SciFest 2015 Weekend runs from 10am to 5pm on the Saturday and the Sunday in the John Muir Campus of Dunbar Primary School and the Bleachingfield Community Centre, with cafes in both venues.

This year’s events include shows for all ages, with Dr Marty Jopson, the BBC One Show’s resident scientist, popping along.

He will take people along a sparky journey through the story of electricity from Ancient Greeks to the modern day, with a show full of demonstrations, as well as a plucked chicken.

Dr Marty will also demonstrate giant boomerangs and some bumper-sized bubbles.

Outside, there will be a Fantastic Physics Fire Show, with the weekend also featuring everything from bugs and bones to puppets and apps.

Dee Davison, the festival’s creator and co-ordinator, said: “Get stuck into wacky workshops, sit back and enjoy science stage shows and have family fun at diverse drop-in sessions.

“For under-fives, there’s storytelling and soft play. The stage shows are presented in British Sign Language or are BSL/English interpreted.

“SCI-FUN, the University of Edinburgh’s Scottish Science and Technology Roadshow, will take over the Bleachingfield Community Centre with 50 interactive science activities that will keep you entertained for hours.

“After the huge success of 2014, we will again run an Early Bird event for children with Autism Spectrum Condition, giving them and their families exclusive access to experience the SCI-FUN interactive exhibits on March 8, 9-10am.” And that is not all, with a special project taking to the night sky.

Nights of Light, inspired by the United Nations International Year of Light 2015, will see ‘The Magic Lantern’ light projection show at Barns Ness Lighthouse, from the Friday through to the Sunday from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. The lighthouse and keepers’ cottages will be illuminated in a magical interpretation of light, shadow and movement.

For more information, visit dunbarscifest.org.uk