ADVANCE tickets for the Kent Festival of Science are sold out. The two-day fair, which will feature two astrodomes and the chance to design a dinosaur, handle tarantulas and build and launch a rocket, will be held at Canterbury College on Thursday and Friday.

Although advance tickets are all gone organisers say a limited number will be available on the door on both days, priced £5 per child and £5.50 per adult, on a first come first served basis. The festival, supported by the Kent Messenger Group, is a great family day out and attracted more than 3,000 people last year.

Blue Peter astronomer Anton Vamplew, will host a show called Starry Skies featuring astrodomes onto which are projected images of the night sky. Magic Circle member Tony Griffiths will host a show called the Magic of Science in which he will perform experiments which appear inexplicable, but have rational explanations.

The Big Bug Show, featuring the chance to handle exotic insects and reptiles such as tarantulas, iguanas and snakes, is expected to be as popular as ever.

Other main attractions are: The scientific skills of the circus, including tightrope walking and unicycle riding; more than 500 practical experiements; a huge room filled with £7,000 worth of K'Nex; a massive Lego exhibition; and the Army, which brought along an exocet rocket launcher last year, will again bring a huge piece of military hardware.