FORMER Tomorrow's World presenter Philippa Forrester gave a passionate speech to a York audience on the thrills of science.

The popular personality, who also fronts Robot Wars with Craig Charles, spoke last night at the Caf Scientifique Event at the Merchant Taylor's Hall, as part of Science City York's Festival Of Discovery.

The festival is a two-week extravaganza involving a series of events aimed at showing how science can be exciting and fun.

Philippa, who recently completed a degree in ecology and environmental science, first caught the science bug as a child.

She told the Evening Press: "Science is important for all children. It's an important aspect of life because it's the stuff of life and part of everything we do.

"It's a pleasure to be able to come here and do this. York is a gorgeous place."

Updated: 11:22 Thursday, March 18, 2004