THE worlds of science fiction, comics and fantasy were brought to life this weekend.

Vibrant costumes to rival big (and small) screen counterparts were turning heads at Bolton's Macron Stadium.

More than 2,000 people descended on the Whites Hotel Premier Suite on Saturday for the second annual Bolton Comic-Con.

In just two years the vent has come a firm family favourite for Boltonians and comic fans from further afield.

From capped crusaders and storm troopers, to larger-than-life villains and sword-wielding little heroes, people of all ages were getting into the comic con spirit.

Cai Rourke, aged 19, from Bolton near Hall i'th' Wood, decided to be a hero just for the day and donned some Spiderman apparel.

He said: "I've come with my girlfriend, mum and step dad, who came dressed up as well.

"I've been to other comic cons before but this is my first time at one in Bolton.

"It's just a fun day and great chance to meet new people who have similar interests, that's what I like most about it."

Stalls and shoppers packed out the events room, while guests were also on hand to greet visitors and sign autographs.

Among them were Star Wars actor Jeremy Bulloch, the man behind the mask of bounty hunter Boba Fett; movie 'monster' performer Paul Warren, the voice of behind Cartoon Network hit Johnny Bravo, Marc Silk, and Batman, Doctor Who and Judge Dredd illustrator Dave Taylor

Red Dwarf star Hatty Hayridge was enjoying the day at the Macron Stadium.

"I love the combination of the venue being a football club as well, I enjoy a bit of football," she said.

"It's great coming to comic cons because Red Dwarf means so much to a lot of people. People seem to have a really big connection to it and you hear a lot of stories of what it means to them. I've even heard about ti being played to people who are in a coma!"

Meanwhile long-running Beano writer Nigel Parkinson was also demonstrating how to draw some of the comics most well-known characters, including Dennis the Menaces' sidekick pooch Gnasher.

Retro games to try and cars from the movies also pitched up at the event which also included a cosplay competition supporting the iCosplay Anti-bullying Campaign.

Host Mike Chandler, aged 22 from Manchester, might have been sporting some of the impressive costume of the day as Spiderman's mad arch-nemesis Doctor Octopus, complete with home-made mechanical appendages.

He said: "What makes this event so great is that it is so family friendly.

"You can get big monster events like this but Bolton is very welcoming and friendly, there's so much more space and reasonable priced stalls.

"We want to welcome everyone to cosplay, that's why we do events like these, where you can say hello to the children and are happy to have fun and get pictures taken with people."

Organiser Paul Prescott, of North West Comic Cons, described the event as a great success.

"Everyone seems really happy and we've had some great feedback," he said.

"We are definitely on for next year!"