Pubs across Norwich will play host to a three day festival of science next week as scientists from around the world tour local drinking holes.

Talks will include everything from the next antibiotic drugs to the science of brewing, including more than 20 leading experts.

It is the first time the international Pint of Science festival has come to the fine city, as teams of researchers from UEA, Norwich Research Park and CEFAS have organised a diverse range of talks.

Their hosts will include The Mash Tun, St Andrew's Brewhouse, Bar Marzano and the Garden House.

Norwich based charity and research funder The Big C will also be part of the festival. Bar Marzano at the Forum will be hosting talks specifically about cancer with topics including: fighting cancer, diagnosing prostate cancer early and an internal cancer defence system.

Clive Evans, Director of Income Generation and Communications for Big C, said: 'Big C is absolutely thrilled to be supporting Pint of Science in Norwich, and this is also a wonderful opportunity to showcase our commitment to investing in world-class research, within the science and medical communities'. He added: 'Since 1980 Big C has invested over 10m into research in cancer and diagnostic equipment right here in Norwich.'

Pint of Science Norwich Co-ordinator, Peter Moore Fuller, said: 'The Pint of Science festival has been a huge success all over the world, so to be able to bring the festival to Norwich is a great achievement. We have world-leading scientists taking part in the festival, delivering in-depth and fascinating talks for all attending. This is a perfect taster of what's to come later in the year with the inaugural Norwich Science Festival in October.'

Pint of Science was established four years ago by a group of UK based postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers. Festival founders Dr Praveen Paul and Dr Michael Motskin, who were based at Imperial College London are now aiming to get their volunteer run initiative in every city in the world.

'We want to give people the opportunity to learn about the latest scientific developments directly from the scientists themselves – and then feel free to question them,' said festival co-founder Dr Paul. 'We were at first surprised by the public's appetite for these events and by the interest from both volunteer organisers and speakers. The rapid growth of Pint of Science from a grass-roots effort to a global movement has shown that we may have been underestimating both scientists and the public, and that there is a greater need for more events like these.'

For more information about Big C and its Research Grant Making visit www.big-c.co.uk/research or call 01603 619900.

All tickets are £4 and are available from www.pintofscience.co.uk.