A star children's entertainer has been barred from a science fair in Abu Dhabi – because he is Israeli.

Uri Weil, who is better known to young Israelis as Dr Water Molecule, was due to perform 40 shows in the Emirates' first ever science festival.

Mr Weil's show is an interactive skit, during which he educates his audience about with experiments involving whirlpools and colourful liquids.

But while the ten-day long programme will go ahead, Dr Water Molecule has been declared persona non grata by the Abu Dhabi authorities.

According to Ynet, the organisers emailed Mr Weil and said: "We truly want you to be part of the festival, but unfortunately we must inform you that we cannot include you in the program me , simply because of your nationality."

The Abu Dhabi event is being organised with the help of the Edinburgh International Science Festival.