THE great and the good of the science-fiction universe beamed their way into Chippenham for the town’s annual Sci-Fi Convention, which attracted more than 2,000 people and raised £5,000 for charity.

Held for the third year, sci-fi enthusiasts had the chance to meet stars from blockbuster films and TV series as well as get up close and personal with iconic merchandise from a galaxy far, far away.

Organiser and local councillor Martin Coates, said: “Visitor numbers were a little bit up on previous years and we expanded it to a few activities not just in the venue because it’s a community thing.

“I would like to think it was a success and the only trouble is finding somewhere big enough like you would see in Manchester, but it works well in Chippenham because everything is in the High Street and people can interact.

“They don’t have to travel to an exhibition centre, they can walk into town and see things and it’s probably one of the biggest events in Chippenham.”

Actors and actresses from out of this world films and TV series included former Doctor Who, Colin Baker, Star Wars bounty hunter Boba Fett, Jeremy Bulloch, and Holly from Red Dwarf, Norman Lovett who were at the Neeld on Saturday.

Activities outside the Neeld allowed people to become one with the force and go to a Jedi school in the Emery Gate Shopping Centre, go back in time and see a robotic dinosaur at the Borough Parade Shopping Centre or step into the driving seat of some iconic vehicles from blockbuster films in Market Place.

Money raised from the event will go to charities including the Bath RUH Cancer Centre and the North Wiltshire Motor Neuron Disease Association.