DARTH Vader will be the star guest at a science fiction event at The Market Place Shopping Centre in Bolton town centre.

The Market Place is boldly going where no centre has gone before with its Sci-Fi Show on Saturday, May 17, and Sunday, May 18, taking place all day.

In the main mall of the centre, sci-fi fans are invited to “use the force” and have their photo taken with Darth Vader and other characters across the weekend.

Collectables from Marvel and DC comics, Dr Who and Star Wars will be displayed in the centre on both days and memorabilia, including T-shirts and posters will be for sale, in the centre.

A children’s superhero costume competition with prizes for the top three best costumes will take place on the Saturday, with judging taking place between 3pm and 4pm. Market Place centre manager Nikki Wilson-Cook said: “We’re all very excited for the Sci-Fi weekend at Market Place following the success of last year’s event. I’m looking forward to seeing some of the wonderful costumes.”

Last year families packed into the Market Place for the first Sci- Fi Show.

Sci-fi lovers got their hands on rare comics, graphic novels and T-shirts paying tribute to their favourite shows and films, such as Doctor Who, Star Wars and The Avengers.

There were even life-sized cutouts of Darth Vader and Stormtroopers for sale, as well as action figures and other memorabilia items.