Thousands of Bristol people will flock to the Harbourside this weekend for the Bristol Festival of Nature.

A host of free activities for people of all ages is on offer at the event, which is said to be the UK's largest celebration of the natural world.

The festival will focus on Charles Darwin, whose bicentenary is being celebrated this year.

The British Council's international Darwin Now exhibition, will give visitors the opportunity to explore the ideas that lie at the heart of evolutionary theory and the impact they have today.

The festival is open from 10am to 6pm today and 11am to 5pm tomorrow.

It is run by the Bristol Natural History Consortium, collaboration between the following organisations: Avon Wildlife Trust, the BBC Natural History Unit, Bristol City Council, Bristol Zoo Gardens, Defra, Environment Agency, Natural England, the University of Bristol, the University of the West of England, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and Wildscreen Trust.

Dr Fiona Matthews, of the consortium, said: "There are lots of hands-on activities making this an inspirational family day out."

Highlights will include talks by high profile speakers and the chance to watch previews of the BBC's forthcoming Human Planet series on the big screen in Millennium Square.

There will also be boat tours to highlight the Harbourside's wildlife.

More information is available from the website at www.festivalofnature.org