FANTASY is set to meet reality next year as the first Swindon Comic-Con event descends on the town.

Next June thousands of fans will flock to the Steam Museum for a two-day event celebrating the best of entertainment and pop culture.

Cosplayers, comic book devotees and mythical creatures will have the chance to browse a selection of horror, anime and manga comics, toys, collectible card games, video games, webcomics and fantasy novels.

Die-hard fans will don capes, helmets, face-paint and wield light sabres at the event.

The convention, the first of its kind in the town, came about thanks to party equipment provider Skywalkers in Faringdon Road and the Incredible Comic Shop.

Luke Skywalker, formerly Kaye, hit the headlines in 2009 for amassing a £1m Star Wars memorabilia collection.

John Brown, who runs the Market Street-based Incredible Comic Shop with business partner Troy Loveday, said news of the event had created a buzz across the town.

He said: “It was Luke’s idea to organise something like this. It brings something different to the town and we’re delighted to be involved.

“Swindon Comic-Con is a celebration of creativity and it encourages people to step into another world for the day.

“The most popular comic books we sell are Marvel, Batman and Deadpool comics. There’s a really good community of comic book fans in the town and we’ve managed to keep our business thriving over the past few years which says a lot.”

A stellar comic book line-up including Dr Who comic writer Paul Cornell, V For Vendetta artist David Lloyd and Only Fools and Horses favourites Boycie and Marlene will make appearances.

A convoy of iconic vehicles will be on display including Back to The Future’s DeLorean, an NYPD police car and a full-size Batmobile.

Harry Potter enthusiast Tina Davies from Shaw, who is known to viewers for her turn on BBC 3 documentary Tom Felton Meets the Superfans, is looking forward to volunteering.

“It’s a world which I have a great interest in and you meet so many interesting and diverse people in the cosplay community,” she said.

And Tina is hoping Tom, who played supervillain Draco Malfoy in the films, will come along.

“I have reached out to Tom and asked him if he would come. It’s something that would be perfect for him,” she said.

Swindon Comic-Con will be held at Steam on June 4 and 5 next year. For more information, visit swindoncomiccon.