WARGAME enthusiasts pitted their wits as battles ranging from Viking invasions to wild west gunfights were fought in a scout hall in Devizes on Sunday.

Devizes and District Wargames Group opened its doors at the scout hall in Southbroom Road to new members as put on 12 games for visitors to play.

Philip Mackie from the club said: "There really was something for everyone as the games covered a time span from ancient Greeks and Macedonians through the Dark Ages with Viking raiders, into the English Civil War and the battle of Rowdeford, the hegemonic days of Napoleon in Egypt, into Western Gunfights and right up to WWII and beyond to StarWars X-wing combat.

"At one point I counted over 45 people in the hall, admittedly many were club members but we had a good number of visitors from Chippenham, Melksham, Calne and Devizes.

"There were also a number of former members who have drifted off in recent years due to family commitments or other pressures of everyday life. It sounds as though we will be seeing several of them again in the near future as the open day allowed the club to present so many games to whet the appetite."

The club meets every Sunday afternoon and people are welcome to call in between 2pm and 6pm to learn more about the hobby. Next month the club is running a coach trip from Devizes, to London to visit Salute, the UK's biggest wargames show.

On July 15 and 16 the Devizes group will hold its own show Attack! at Devizes School, which attracts up to 1000 visitors to Devizes for two days of competition gaming and the chance to buy at the many trade stands.