LOVELY bubbly! Youngsters from across the country have been taking part in good, clean fun at a University of York science camp this week.

Square bubbles, bubbles as large as a hula-hoop and even dry ice carbon dioxide bubbles have been helping to bring chemistry to life for dozens of schoolchildren.

Fifty 15-year-olds have been learning how "surface active agents" work as they practise their bubble-blowing skills with members of the university's chemistry department.

Organiser Dr Annie Hodgson said: "Chemistry ought to be exciting and fun to learn about and that's what we're doing with the summer school.

"At the same time we have a serious message - chemistry is important and relevant in our everyday lives and in industry.

"It's vital that the fun provides a means of learning and understanding." Participants also used forensic techniques to solve the pretend murder of Professor Ivor Nidea, learnt about natural dyes and met working chemists.

Updated: 09:48 Saturday, August 24, 2002