Clowns, balloons and lots of challenging games equalled big fun in York today at the launch of Maths Year 2000.

NUMBERS UP: Mr Numbervator (Isaac Anoom) with pupils at Park Grove School today at the launch of Maths Year 2000 Picture: David Harrison

Schoolchildren from across the city helped launch the series of events which are part of a national campaign to promote maths.

The launch was moved to Park Grove School at the last-minute because of the rainy conditions in Parliament Street, the intended venue.

But it did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of Poppleton Road Primary School pupils who demonstrated their multiplication prowess in a times tables challenge under the watchful eye of Mr Numbervator, the maths clown.

They also sang about their maths strategy to the tune of Steps hit Tragedy.

Rob Stone, a juggler from the University of York, was also on hand to entertain the children and the public.

And the maths events were not the only thing being launched as children from all over the city tied tags to balloons and released them.

A series of exciting maths events are planned for the coming year including a visit from veteran children's TV favourite Johnny Ball at the Grand Opera House in May or June for his Maths and Legends Roadshow.

A maths festival is also planned for October, organised by York-based group Mathemagic.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.