Visitors to Lacock Abbey had an out-of-this-world experience when sci-fi icons paid a visit on Sunday.

Members of Corsham group Charity Sci-Fi dressed as characters from Star Wars and Doctor Who and the Tardis landed inside the Fox Talbot Museum for a fund-raiser in aid of preserving historic watercolours.

Rachael Holtom, Lacock Abbey’s visitor experience officer, said: It was amazing to see Darth Vader on the steps of the abbey. It was rather surreal, but everyone enjoyed themselves.

“It was really lovely to work with a local partner group to create such a brilliant day.”

The National Trust attraction is still totting up how much was raised.

Adrian Davies, the Charity Sci-Fi chairman, said: “It was fantastic that we had such good weather, given the bad time of it we’ve had recently. Somebody must have been looking down upon us.

“Everyone from the group genuinely had a lot of fun, It was a phenomenal event and we enjoyed making people laugh. We were really pleased to attend and support the National Trust.”

Charity Sci-Fi, which hosts the annual Corsham Sci-Fi Family Funday, takes its replica Daleks, film props and costumes to events across the South West, raising funds for good causes.

Sunday’s event launched Lacock Abbey’s half-term activities. Highlights included the chance to see meteorites and moon rocks, as well as explore the technology behind infra-red cameras.

Science and Technologies Facilities Council, Wiltshire Astronomical Society and the Herschel Museum of Bath helped oversee the day’s activities.

To find out about the group, see www.charityscifi.co.uk