A world record attempt and a laser firework show are among attractions at a day of free activities at Huddersfield University.

The Full Steam Ahead event is a chance to meet researchers and view ground-breaking research taking place at the university.

Around 3,000 people are expected at the event in Huddersfield - one of 250 towns and cities across Europe celebrating European Researchers’ Night on Friday, September 30.

The Guinness World Record attempt will take place from 4pm in the Joseph Priestley Building and will involve the construction of the largest-ever atomic model of a protein structure.

Jade Pitchforth, 13, with 12-year-old Jake Dempsey are both looking forward to visiting the University of Huddersfield for the first time on European Researchers' Night
Jade Pitchforth, 13, with 12-year-old Jake Dempsey are both looking forward to visiting the University of Huddersfield for the first time on European Researchers' Night

The record bid aims to promote breast cancer research and is part of a drop-in session led by Dr Christopher Cooper which looks at proteins, crystals and drug discovery.

The Eureka! Research Station, based in Student Central from 4pm to 8.30pm, will allow children to create a meteorite, an alka-seltzer rocket and to try out a robotic arm.

If you are feeling peckish, visit the Insect Food demo in the Joseph Priestley Building where Dr Helen Martin will talk about insects eaten in many part of the world - but not so much in the West. Why not try some insect food while you are there?

There are also workshops and talks on war, human ancestry, railways, turbo chargers and more. The laser and pyrotechnics finale is in University Square at 8.30pm.

Professor Bob Cryan, vice chancellor of Huddersfield University, said: “Full Steam Ahead is a celebration of the exiting research in the science and the arts taking place at the University and a rare chance to see in detail how research impacts our everyday lives.”

Details at www.hud.ac.uk/news/2016/june/fullsteamahead-europeanresearchersnight.php