Darwin

Charles Darwin could be the key to a bumper year for the county if local tourism chiefs' dreams come true. Events are taking place in Shropshire throughout 2009 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth and mark 150 years since Darwin's groundbreaking publication On The Origin of Species.

Arguably the most influential scientist of all time, it is believed Darwin's international reputation will draw tourists from across the world. Shrewsbury, as Darwin's birthplace and where he first cultivated a scientific interest in the world, hopes to attract many of those visitors.

In previous years Shrewsbury's Darwin Festival events have taken place almost entirely in February, the month of his birth. In 2009, the bicentenary of Darwin's birth, the celebrations will be spread throughout the year.

Charles Darwin (Natural History Museum)

Sarah Whittall, the senior marketing manager at Shropshire Tourism, hoped the festival would have a positive effect on the county's tourism: "It's a really good opportunity for us to promote Shrewsbury."

The new Theatre Severn takes centre stage for many of the events. The first will be a concert in March by eight folk singer-songwriters from Britain and USA, who have been asked to write songs reflecting Darwin's life, work and influence.

People all over the world are being encouraged to wish Charles Darwin a happy birthday on the internet. Everyone who takes part gets a unique ID and location pin on a map of the world.

Ms Whittall said: "This is a very exciting campaign as its success relies on people passing on the e-mail to colleagues, friends and family from all over the world to encourage them to pass on their birthday wish to Charles Darwin."