THREE special lectures will be taking place in Bournemouth as part of this year's British Science Week initiative.

The Bournemouth Natural Science Society (BNSS), a charity formed more than a century ago to promote natural sciences and history, has organised the lectures.

On Saturday (March 11) Portsmouth University's Dr Frank Schubert will be speaking about the development of the vertebrate central nervous system from embryological and evolutionary perspectives. This talk, set for a 2.30pm start, will also include aspects of brain structure in the embryo.

Then, on Tuesday (March 14) at 7.30pm, Professor David Osselton - director of forensic sciences at Bournemouth University - will be speaking about the history and development of poison detection, and the science of toxicology.

Rounding off the trio of lectures, next Saturday (March 18) at 2.30pm, will be James Fradgley, chairman of BNSS's astronomy section, who will give a talk titled 'Bad Science'

All three talks take place in the lecture hall at the BNSS Museum, Christchurch Road, Bournemouth.

Tickets are not necessary, but BNSS has suggested a £3 donation to support the charity's ongoing events and activities programme.

Visit bnss.org.uk for a full programme of lectures and events.

British Science Week, organised by the British Science Association and funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, takes place March 10-19.