The author Bill Bryson will send a free copy of his recent book on science to every secondary school in Britain under a scheme backed by the government and the Royal Society of Chemistry, it was announced today.

In the book, A Short History of Nearly Everything, Mr Bryson covers some of the oldest and biggest questions of scientific knowledge, from the "big bang" theory to the rise of civilisation.

Junior schools minister, Andrew Adonis, will launch the scheme, backed by the Royal Society of Chemistry, which aims to make science more interesting to teenagers.

Lord Adonis said the book, which has sold more than two million copies in the UK, proved that science could be fun.

Speaking ahead of the launch in London, he said: "Science doesn't have to be hard - and this book is a good example of science being made simple and fun to learn.

"I hope it will motivate and encourage more children to take up science and deliver the scientists of the future."

The book will be sent free to the libraries of 6,000 secondary schools in Britain.

The president of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Simon Campbell, said he hoped the books would encourage more pupils to study science.

"Teenagers, indeed adults, reading his book cannot fail to be startled and entertained by every unfolding and awe-inspiring revelation about the universe," he said.

"We hope youngsters who lift it off about 6,000 library shelves will be more attracted to studying science, which is vital for the future of the UK."

Mr Bryson, an American-born journalist, became the chancellor of Durham University in April, and is well known for quirky travel writing, including his book on Britain, Notes from a Small Island.