SCIENTIST and presenter Professor Alice Roberts will be guest of honour at this year's Bournemouth University Festival of Learning.

The star of Channel 4's Britain's Most Historic Towns will give lectures at the sixth annual event, which runs from June 16-20.

Her lectures will form part of the festival's family day, due to take place at BU's Talbot Campus on Saturday June 16.

Alice, a biological anthropologist, received an Honorary Doctorate from BU in 2013.

She said: "I am very much looking forward to coming back to Bournemouth University to give a couple of lectures, drawing on my latest book, Tamed.

"I’ll be exploring the ancient roots of the bonds between humans and species like dogs and horses, and looking at how archaeology and genetics come together to help us uncover these deep histories."

The Festival of Learning will bring learning to life with 90 free events and activities taking place across Bournemouth and Poole.

The family day will include free sports sessions, an archaeological escape room and the chance to become kitchen detectives.

Sessions range from the chance to explore what makes things funny, to getting tax savvy, and finding out how to avoid fake news.

Science showman Ian B Dunne will close the festival.

Ian said: "I’m delighted to bring my unique science show to Bournemouth University for the Festival of Learning.

"Come along for demonstrations, strange and wonderful noises, levitating objects, flash bangs and big sparks, and the occasional funny smell - all done with some fantastic and rare equipment."

Festival Director Jane Kavanagh-Lauridsen said: "We’ve got an exciting programme of free events, activities and opportunities to learn something new.

"We can’t wait to share the exceptional research being carried out at BU. We’d love for people of all ages to share in our discoveries and have the chance to engage and connect with our staff and students."

For details of Festival of Learning events, and to book your free tickets, go to bournemouth.ac.uk/fol

You can also pick up a brochure from local libraries and around BU campuses.