SCI-FI fanatics were treated to a Marvel-lous time at Melksham Comic Con over the weekend which organisers have hailed a huge success despite the drizzly weather.

Captain America, Iron Man and Spiderman were just a few characters which made an appearance over the two-day event in the Assembly Hall which saw over 1,000 people attend.

Comic Con organiser Hayley Spencer, who also owns KomiX on Bank Street, Melksham said: “It was a brilliant weekend and we have been doing it four years in a row. We are really pleased that despite the weather we had crowds come back for Comic Con.

“The effort people go to with dressing up is just incredible. It is so impressive and a lot of people make so much effort so it just goes to show how much creativity and dedication there is at the event.

“It is so reassuring that people keep coming back and this year our team has had a lot of life changes with babies and marriages and so we have all been really struggling for time. We’re all volunteers and I think it goes to show that we’ve put in the effort to pull it off – it makes it all worth it to see the reaction.”

A much-loved highlight was a series of panel discussions all touching on different subjects for avid comic fans including creating manga, LGBT and the comic book industry, creating comics for children and a discussion dedicated to all things Doctor Who.

Guests at this year’s event included Lee Townsend who has worked on titles such as Action Man, Transformers, Spiderman, Avengers and X-Men.

Miss Spencer added: “We try to mix up our panels each year to include a traditional one which allows people to interact with the speakers but we also do a more seriously one that tackles taboos and this year we looked at LGBT in the comic book industry. It was incredibly well received and people were talking about it all weekend which was fantastic.”

A firm favourite with sci-fi fans was a Comic Con Pictionary showcase which put up two professional arts against one another in a draw-off which organisers have confirmed will be making a return next year.

Richard Thompson, who is part of a group of Ghostbusters fans, displayed a 1967 Morris Traveller over the weekend to raise money for Parkinson’s UK and St Peters Hospice in Bristol.

He said: “The reaction to the group being at these events has been fantastic and you always get positive responses.

“I think it is a wonderful little local event and you get a lot of big Comic Con’s across the country but you do not get a family friendly feel which you have here in Melksham.”

Organisers have also thanked “the community effort” of local businesses who opened up to accommodate the extra numbers.