CHILDREN'S TV presenter Johnny Ball has opened Sharples School's new £500,000 science suite.

The presenter - father of Zoe Ball and a favourite in the 1980s and early 1990s - was invited to the launch which aims to make science more interesting and encourage more students to study the subject.

Mr Ball spent his television career introducing thousands of children to maths and science, including Think of a Number, Think Again, and Johnny Ball Reveals All.

He said he was happy to help nurture the next generation of the scientists.

He said: "The Sharples science centre is a fantastic resource for young people to really enjoy science and make it relevant to their everyday lives.

"The shortage of future scientists is a real concern and projects like the one at Sharples will motivate more young people to become tomorrow's scientists."

Director of Sharples School Mukesh Singadia said:"We could think of no-one better to open the new science suite than Johnny Ball.

"He is not only from Bolton, but is passionate about science.

"Science is one of our strengths, and half of our pupils go on to study a science discipline after school. This will improve the children's learning further."

Funding for the new science department came from Government money secured by the school becoming a specialist science college. Headteachers from neighbouring schools were invited to share in Sharples success.

The new building has three laboratories containing equipment normally seen in top research organisations, such as a data-processing lab and a natural sciences department.

Mr Singadia said: "No school in Bolton has a lab on this scale. This will not just benefit our pupils, but others.

"We will train teachers from other schools to use it and primary school children have already used the facilities."

Head of science Sharfraz Shah said the new facility would encourage more young people to show an interest in science.

"Science is again in the news with the shortage of young people going on to study it.

"The teaching of science has to be relevant to today, and the equipment children use has to be up-to-date. This is what engages pupils."

During the ceremony, the family of David Kerslake, a former head of science at the school who died in a road accident in 2004, unveiled a plaque in his memory.

Mr Singadia, said: "The pupils and staff wanted to use the occasion to remember Mr Kerslake and his family were invited to unveil the plaque."