ONE of Bradford's most iconic venues is "delighted" with how an October half-term festival has been received so far, despite the challenges posed by COVID-19.

Bradford Science Festival got underway at the National Science and Media Museum on Saturday and runs until 1 November.

The museum said that the festival looks "very different" this year amid coronavirus - with it being split between the museum and online - but staff are still pleased with the response so far.

Elaine Richmond, Partnership and Participation Manager at the National Science and Media Museum, said: “Although we are only a few days into this year’s Bradford Science Festival, we are really pleased with the turnout and response to the festival content, across our platforms.

"The live element of the festival kicked off on Monday, with Noisy Toys’ '50 Million Tonnes' show, which explores the impact of electronic waste and how it can be repurposed for a better future.

"The show has been very well received, with tickets for all live shows selling out so far.

"Later this week we have the 'Science Showdown', another fantastic series of live shows with Phil Bell-Young, where families can try out exciting science experiments.

“We have seen some great reactions to our online and radio strands too.

"Each weekday we are premiering a special live show from our amazing festival partners on the museum’s YouTube channel, alongside a host of radio shows on BCB Radio.

"We also have two online Zoom workshops which have both been booked up, where families can explore weird and wonderful sounds and learn to make their own creations.

“Although the format of this year’s festival looks very different to usual, we are delighted with how everything has turned out and it’s exciting to try new ways of delivering festival content and engaging local communities in STEM learning.

"Free tickets to visit the museum and for the remaining live shows are available online - be sure to get yours before they go!”

Earlier, Elaine had spoken on how staff had been working to make sure the festival is as safe as possible, with social distancing rules in place and visitors having to book in advance if they wish to attend one of the live shows.

Hand sanitiser stations are also at entry and exit points, while enhanced cleaning is being carried out between events.

For more information on the festival, including on how to book tickets for live shows, visit the National Science and Media Museum website.