A STORY-FILLED day in Whitehaven is set to delight both children and adults this weekend.

The Beacon is hosting a free storytelling show at the Beacon on Saturday, July 2 as part of the Exploring Light And Dark Exhibition about the sun.

Cumbrian musician and storyteller Steve Wharton will perform a show suitable for adults and children that weaves its way between stone age beliefs and modern scientific understanding of our universe, featuring colourful characters and songs.

Steve said: "The main focus of the story is a stone age girl called Sylwedeth. She is the first person in her community to question accepted beliefs. By weather watching and recording the movements of the sun she becomes one of Britain's first scientists!"

The show has already been performed to over 400 local school children and some schools have also been exploring the exhibition's themes with dancer Ruth Spencer.

The month-long Exploring Light And Dark Exhibition is being run by The Beacon along with the University of Central Lancashire.

It is centred on scientific research in a museum environment and placing Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects alongside history, culture and heritage.

Elizabeth Kwasnik, Beacon Museum director, said: “We’re delighted to welcome the University to the Beacon for this visually stunning exhibition.

"This is the first exhibition to be staged in our newly opened fourth floor gallery and it is aimed at highlighting the importance of STEM in our region.”

Exploring Light and Dark is partially-funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council and is presented as part of a varied programme of community engagement, including dance, storytelling and craft sessions together with a series of science social evenings.

This all creates an exciting opportunity for members of the public to participate in scientific discussion directly with researchers.

The University’s executive director of research, Professor Robert Walsh, added: “The University of Central Lancashire is extremely proud to work with the Beacon Museum in bringing world-class research in astrophysics, ecology and engineering to the regional community in an engaging and interactive way.

"I’m particularly excited to be delivering one of the exhibits which, through a captivating projection display, will enable the general public to see the Sun, our closest star in a completely new light.”

The event this Saturday is free and sessions begin at 11.30am, 1pm, 2pm and 3.30pm.

The exhibition runs until July 10. For more information, call The Beacon on 01946 592302.