A WHOLE host of free activities are on offer at the World of Glass in St Helens, which is a perfect place to entertain all the family this weekend.

Located on Chalon Way in the town centre, the World of Glass has three art galleries, two museum collections, live glassblowing demonstrations and a 19th century glassmaking furnace all in their grounds, to spark the interests of people of all ages.

St Helens Star: A print of Captain Tom in one of the museums free art collectionsA print of Captain Tom in one of the museums free art collections

The art collections on show span works from the abstract to the contemporary, as well as a focus on children’s illustrations - with this weekend marking the end of Liverpool artist Maxine Lee-Mackie’s popular illustration exhibitions, In Isolation and Between The Pages.

St Helens Star: The illustration exhibitions are great for the childrenThe illustration exhibitions are great for the children

Taking a tour of the museum collections, you can unlock a world of local history and knowledge of the glass industry - with detailed information about the town’s industrial heritage and glass formations throughout the ages.

In addition to this, guests can witness a film about the glass industry as well as a fascinating demonstration of glassblowing – an intricate procedure which sees a glass structure formed and shaped through an intensely hot-furnace in just 20 minutes.

St Helens Star: Marcin Czepiga, the resident glassblower at the World of GlassMarcin Czepiga, the resident glassblower at the World of Glass

The wide variety of colourful glass sculptures can be bought in the museum giftshop, and can also requested as a private present.

St Helens Star: The glass sculptures available to buy at the giftshopThe glass sculptures available to buy at the giftshop

As reported by the Star last week, there is also a historic 19th century glassmaking furnace connected to the World of Glass via a bridge over the canal.

The Grade II listed building is one of the first and last remaining glassmaking furnaces in the world, and complete with underground tunnels, highlights St Helens as a world-leader in industrial glassmaking.

St Helens Star: The 19th century glassmaking furnace is one of the last remaining in the worldThe 19th century glassmaking furnace is one of the last remaining in the world

Peter Frost, director at the World of Glass, remarked that despite being on our doorstep in the town centre, many local people do not realise the scale of the museum, or what they have on offer.

He encouraged people of all ages to come down to enjoy the free activities on offer, and donate to the museum so they can continue to provide their work to the community.