A Festival of Ideas and special re-enactment days have been unveiled to help mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Shrewsbury’s most famous son Charles Darwin.

Organisers have drawn up a wide range of events to mark the occasion and draw people into Shrewsbury to take part in the festivities.

Some events have already taken place locally, while nationally celebrations have included high-profile television documentaries and features on the BBC.

Now preparations are under way for a Festival of Ideas and a series of talks and other events, which will include appearances by mathematician and television personality Johnny Ball, scientist and historian Adam Hart Davies and Professor Heinz Wolf.

The town’s international cartoon festival from April 13 to May 31 will also feature a Darwin theme about the science of nature.

The Festival of Ideas will be held from July 2 to 12 and will feature family events and activities exploring mankind’s forward motion.

It will feature robotics, animation, street science, and hands-on fun for children of all ages with the main feature expected to take place on July 4 when Theo Jansen’s Strand Beest – a major creation powered by wind – is unveiled in the town.

Darwin Days, involving historical re-enactments of key moments in Darwin’s life and times in Shrewsbury, will be held on June 6, August 8 and September 12, while other events will include a talk by Professor Wolf and a major fireworks and bonfire night on November 7

Sarah Whittall, senior marketing officer with Shropshire Tourism, said: “Nowhere in the world is better-placed to mark the ‘origin’ of Charles Darwin in 2009 than his birthplace of Shrewsbury.”

A comprehensive calendar of events can be viewed at www.discoverdarwin.co.uk while a leaflet can be obtained by calling (01743) 281200.

For further details visit www.visitshrewsbury.com