But even if it's raining over the next few weeks, take a leaf out of Nina and the Neurons' book and head for Glasgow Science Centre which is exhibiting the unrecognised heroes of the eco-system.

The Wiggly Worms activities give visitors the chance to meet the Pacific Quay centre's resident red wrigglers and investigate their crucial role in the garden.

Clare Abel, science education co-ordinator told Live!: "Even though worms are quite mundane and commonplace, children are still fascinated when they get to watch them under the microscopes.

"They love getting their hands dirty and finding out how valuable these little creatures are to gardens and gardeners.

"We teach them all sorts about worms and how important they actually are. They'll come away knowing where the worm's head is and, hopefully, they'll realise that it's not such a good idea to cut one in half."

As well as the compost heap's slippery customers, GSC is also home to popular TV show Nina and the Neurons whose cast has its own activity trail for intrepid scientists to try.

Using each of the senses the Neuron characters each represents youngsters being taken on a sensory exploration using a giant piano, contorted mirrors and cockroaches.

Clare added: "There's an activity to investigate every sense — sight, smell, touch-taste and hearing, and the object is that the children find each neuron within the activity.

"On the way around the trail there's a giant piano that's played with your feet for hearing, contorted mirrors to look at for sight and for touch there's even the chance to hold some Madagascan hissing cockroaches."

And for the taste exploration there's always the science centre's cafe where feet can be rested and tastebuds tantalised — unless the cockroaches and wiggly worms have killed off any appetites of course.
Entry to the science centre is £7.95 for adults and £5.95 for children. Car parking is £3, or £1 after 5.30pm.