Northwest leaders have planned a science festival to showcase progress in this sector in the region.

Manchester Science Festival will take place at the Museum of Science and Industry between October 25th and November 2nd.

Education programmes will be offered to young people who will be able to meet scientists and conduct experiments.

In total, more than 100 science and technology-related events will be going on all over the city.

George Baxter of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), which is supporting the festival, said science and innovation was in the heart of the region's economy.

"We hope [the festival] will help to encourage young people to consider science as a career and inspire the next generation of budding scientists," he said.

In 2007, 31 venues took part in the first science festival, attracting an audience of more than 50,000 people.

Greater Manchester is home to world-famous Starchaser Enterprises, a rocket company with ambitions to fly tourists into space.