YOUNGSTERS became architects for the day at Bolton Museum as part of Manchester Science Festival.

The budding builders were tasked with creating structures out of some peculiar materials including dry spaghetti and marshmallows during a fun day of activities at the museum in Le Mans Crescent.

About 60 primary school children from across the borough were invited down to the museum and were met by scientists from the university including DR Gill Smart, of the Institute for materials, research and innovation, who led the session.

There was something for parents as well, as the session was held in conjunction with an exhibition of black and white photographs of Bolton's famous steeplejack Fred Dibnah.

The pictures, many of which have not been exhibited since 1980, have been on display at the museum to mark the 10th anniversary of Mr Dibnah's death and captured him doing what he did best, knocking down chimneys.

Matthew Watson, collections access officer at the museum said: "The event went brilliantly today and it was great to see so many children come along, the museum is normally busy during half-term but today was fantastic.

He said the children were "really excited" to meet real-life scientists from the University of Bolton, adding: "That is a big part of what the science festival is about, getting young people learning about science from the experts themselves and of course they enjoyed building with the spaghetti and marshmallows as well."

The successful event will be repeated at the museum tomorrow from 1pm until 3pm.

The university's final event of the festival, Messy Science, will take place on Friday and there are still places left.

Those interested in taking part can email msf2014@bolton.ac.uk to book onto the session which will place in the Social Learning Zone from 10.30am to noon and 2pm to 3.30pm.